SUPERMARKET workers and residents have spoken out after suffering abuse when challenging shoppers who refuse to wear a mask.

Face coverings have become mandatory during the coronavirus pandemic, with only those with medical conditions able to refrain from wearing one.

But members of the community have been caught flouting the rules, leading to heated arguments in stores and heightened tensions with the deadly virus spreading in these uncertain times.

Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, has called for out-of-work bouncers and security guards to be drafted in to man supermarkets and ensure Covid-19 rules are followed.

It comes after a host of supermarket chains have insisted they will increase their enforcement of the guidelines following reports of chaotic scenes in shops.

But Joe Michael O’Brien, who works in a Sainsbury’s store in south Essex, admits asking customers to follow the guidelines has resulted in some unsavoury scenes.

He said: “As a supermarket worker I have to challenge those not wearing a mask as it’s our policy.

“If someone isn’t wearing one for a genuine medical condition, that’s fine and I don’t question why because that’s none of my business.

“But we also get a lot of conspiracy theorists that flat out refuse to wear a face covering because ‘Covid isn’t real’ or ‘it’s government control’.

“I’m trying my best to keep people safe but I even got called a sheep the other day while doing my job.”

The Tesco store in Prince Avenue, Southend, was forced to close as it reached maximum capacity recently.

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Echo reader Amanda Hopkins was verbally attacked when asking a shopper to abide by the guidelines.

She said: “I challenged a young woman in Tesco for not keeping her distance from me. I received a mouthful of abuse.”

Abuse has resulted in some residents being fearful of asking those not wearing a face covering to do so.

But Sandra Williams, a business development manager at the Basildon-based Kallima Spiritual Centre, insists she will continue challenging those not following the rules.

She said: “If someone came into my business without a face mask simply because they don’t agree with them, they would be removed without a moment’s hesitation.”