Unions in Merseyside warn ditching masks could see a sharp rise in attacks on shop workers
From next Monday social distancing will be a thing of the past and you can choose whether or not to wear a face covering
Trade unions in Merseyside are warning plans to ditch mandatory mask wearing could lead to a sharp rise in attacks on shop workers.
It comes after Boris Johnson confirmed so-called 'Freedom Day' can go ahead as planned next Monday.
That means an end to social distancing and you can choose whether you want to wear a face covering indoors or not.
Paul Mckenna from USDAW says that's asking for trouble :
"Shop workers are at the forefront of abuse anyway and it's something we've campaigned on for a long time but we think when people don't have to wear face coverings anymore it will be another opportunity for our members to be abused.
"They also have to go home and they may inadvertently pass on the virus to members of their own family so please be considerate, shop workers have no choice about interacting with large numbers of people and it isn't just them who are at risk".
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.