Mandatory face-coverings in NI will scare consumers away from shops - Sammy Wilson MP

Mr. Wilson claims the retail sector is facing a "very bleak future" as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown but says he has fears some businesses would close permanently should the Northern Ireland Executive decide to make the wearing of face-coverings in shops mandatory.

“Today’s announcements [Marks & Spencer] of more job losses in the retail sector, the empty streets in Belfast city centre and the tenuous grip on profitability which many small retailers in provisional towns are experiencing, along with the surge in online shopping, spell a very bleak future for the retail sector and those employed in it," said Mr. Wilson.

He continued: "There is no doubt about it, the decision to lockdown the economy and force people to work from home has been the catalyst for what are bound to be long term changes in how we do our business.

"The fact that many people are still working from home has hurt town centres and given a false sense of hope to some regional towns which have benefited from people shopping locally, at least for as long as they are working from home.

"However, online shopping has become even more attractive and as we move into the winter, less people will be prepared to queue outside shops in the cold, wind and rain, deciding instead to shop from the comfort of their living rooms."

Mr. Wilson argues the way in which Covid-19 has been managed in Northern Ireland by the authorities means there is no need to make the wearing of face-coverings mandatory.

"If the Executive add to the misery of the retail sector by insisting upon the wearing of face masks in shops, there will be further economic consequences for our town centres, council rates and property values.

"The fact that we have made it through four months of this pandemic without having to impose the compulsory use of face masks and that there has been no upsurge in the number of retail workers contacting the virus speaks volumes.

"Of course we always have to balance health needs with those in the economy but we must not allow one to dominate the other.”

The wearing of face-coverings in shops and other public places in Northern Ireland is currently under review but last week Health Minister, Robin Swann, said it was something he would be recommending.