UK supermarkets ask shoppers to keep wearing masks

LONDON - Britain's biggest supermarket groups will encourage staff and customers to keep wearing face coverings from Monday despite new rules making it a matter of personal choice.

The government is removing most pandemic restrictions from July 19 in England, saying a rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has largely broken the link between infections and serious illness or death. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Aldi all said they would prefer staff and customers to keep wearing masks.