Customers, team members and visitors Woolworths Group stores and sites across NSW stores will be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings from August 3, 2020.
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The guidance is for Woolworths Supermarkets, Woolworths Metro Food Stores, BIG W, Dan Murphy's, BWS and ALH Hotels.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said that the safety and wellbeing of customers, teams and communities was top priority.
"Even though wearing a face covering is not mandatory in NSW, as the largest private sector employer with stores in almost every community, we feel it's important we lead the way in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19," he said.
"We're asking our teams to lead by example, and this includes our Group Executive Team.
"Masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19. By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe."
Face coverings are being provided to all Woolworths Group team members to wear and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
"We'll continue to work with the Health Department to make sure our safety protocols and procedures are the best they can be," Mr Banducci said.
"We'd like to thank our customers and team for their ongoing support as we all work together to keep our communities COVIDSafe."
A Coles spokesperson said that face coverings are not mandatory in NSW stores but available for team members who wish to use them.
"We will continue to take the advice of State Government health experts on the use of masks in our stores," they said.
"We ask customers to continue treating our team members with respect and thank them for helping us to provide a safer workplace and shopping experience."