// Westfield will encourage shoppers to continue wearing masks even after restrictions are lifted
// The shopping centre operator said it aims to make shoppers and staff feel safe
// Retailers in the centres would be free to implement their own policies on mask wearing
Shoppers at Westfield shopping centres will be encouraged to wear masks even after Covid-19 restrictions are lifted from July 19.
Westfield London manager Jactina Rowsell said masks would be encouraged in both London shopping centres in an effort to make shoppers and staff feel safe.
“We’re very aware and very focused that guests coming into the centre do want to feel safe – they’re our priority, as are our retailers and our staff, so where possible we will be encouraging the wearing of masks when people are coming in,” she told the BBC 4 Today Show.
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She said retailers in the shopping centres would be free to implement their own policies on mask wearing.
Boris Johnson announced last night that compulsory mask wearing in the likes of shops and on public transport would be dropped on July 19.
Rowsell said footfall was up to around 70 per cent of its numbers in 2019 in both Westfield Stratford and Westfield in White City.
“There is definitely the positive return of people coming to the centre and that’s reinforced by the fact we have such wide malls, we have big open spaces, and we can comfortably accommodate safe numbers of customers within the capacity our centres offer,” she said.
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