Large trading companies feel well prepared despite high demand. There should be enough masks on Monday.
From Monday, customers must wear an FFP2 mask in stores. Since yesterday, most chains have been selling such masks for 59 cents, the Lugner City even for 50 cents. So far they cost 2 to 8 euros. The demand is correspondingly high, but the big chains assure everyone that they have enough masks. However, there should be differences in how strictly the ban will be enforced from Monday, according to an APA broadcast.
“We will politely draw customers' attention to the FFP2 mask requirement on Monday. You can get a mask from us. We can't do more,” says Spar. The staff could not check whether someone could not wear such a mask for medical reasons. One is confident that it will work, because it has worked well with the MNS masks so far.
The Rewe Group (Billa, Merkur) plans to handle this much more strictly. As of Monday, employees will point out that there is an obligation to wear an FFP2 mask in the sales rooms. “Anyone who does not comply with this despite being asked to do so cannot be granted access to our stores,” said a spokesman on APA's request. Customers who are exempt from the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask for health reasons are asked to show a doctor's confirmation upon request.
Hofer does not check himself
Hofer also points out that the wearing of an FFP2 protective mask applies to everyone over the age of 14 who cannot claim a medical exception. Customers are asked to inform employees about exceptions to the mask requirement. There is no control itself, but “in the case of control by organs of the public security service, the reasons for claiming the exception must be proven,” recalls Hofer.
On Friday there was initially no response from Lidl to deal with this question.
The large grocery chains agree that there is a very high demand for the FFP2 masks, but this can be met. If there are short-term bottlenecks in individual branches, deliveries will be made quickly. Rewe points out that 5 million masks have already been delivered and another 15 million have been ordered, Spar already has 20 million in stock. The branch assures us that all branches will be well supplied on Monday.
