SHOPPING with masks on has been a big adjustment for a lot of people.

In an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus shoppers were warned they could face a £100 fine if they were caught without a face covering from July 24.

However, there is a long list of people who are exempt from wearing a mask, like children under five and people with specific health conditions. - read the full list here. 

So, we asked our readers if they would politely challenge somebody not wearing a mask in the shops.

Unsurprisingly, the results were mixed.  

The day before the rules changed we headed to the Westgate Centre to see how many shoppers were already covered up. 

Kerry Houghton said: “No, you don’t know what kind of hidden disability/medical condition they have.”

Cindy Prestidge agreed, saying: “Absolutely not! You don’t know what their situation is and it’s none of your business! You do you the best way you can you leave everyone else alone!”

Dee White said she had been at the receiving end of the ‘looks and comments’, saying: “I’ve got a sunflower lanyard because of having lung problems. The only reason I got one was because last time I went into a shop not wearing a mask, I got some really s***** looks and nasty comments off other shoppers. Actual staff were fine with me, I just could do without confrontation with people.”

But others disagreed.

Read more: the Oxford restaurants taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme 

Denka Opsenica said: “I would because if I could wear a visor and mask for my job even I have asthma, they can wear a mask for just a short time during shopping, but I think it is a psychological issue with people who do not want to wear masks.”

Janet Watanbe also said she would politely challenge somebody, saying: “I did yesterday, he was wearing it as a chin strap, I simply asked him to wear it properly, he smiled and pulled it up. I was shopping with a mask on, we’re supposed to be helping each other.”

Colin Taylor added: “If they want to risk giving the virus to their family, this is up to them, personally I love my family too much to risk it.”

One retail worker said she had seen a 'nice way of addressing the issue' when one man offered another shopper a single-use face mask in the queue. 

Tracey Hambidge said: "Because that way they either take it or say 'I'm exempt'.

"We just politely remind them if they don’t have a medical reason could they use a face covering next time.”

When the rules were announced, Oxford Mail readers were split about whether it would deter shoppers or make them feel safer. 

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Would you challenge somebody? Let us know in the comments