Exploiting Customers at the Honeydew Branch

I am very disappointed after my visit at the Honeydew branch on Tuesday 28 April 2020.

I will start of by saying that Econo Foods was one of my favourite shops to which I referred many of my friends and family members, and while I can fully appreciate putting measures in place to safeguard their customers during the Covid-19 outbreak, I do NOT agree with them refusing us entry to the shop if we do not buy the face masks being sold at the shop door.

I am fully aware of the government regulations, and as of 1 May as stated by the President all consumers must wear masks. But last I checked we are STILL in April and I am not breaching any of the CURRENT regulations by not wearing a face mask but ensuring that I keep my distance from people and washing/santising my hands regularly. (Please educate yourself on these regulations, I have added a link for your convenience: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/see-these-are-the-permissions-and-restrictions-for-level-4-lockdown-***5)

When I approached the shop to enter, there was no sign visible in the shopping complex stating that I cannot enter without a mask. When I approached the shop door to sanitise and get my temperature taken I was told that I cannot enter the shop without a mask and that I can buy one at the door should I wish to enter. I explained that the compulsory masks are only from the 1st of May and requested to speak to the manager. The manager insisted that it was the law and that I could not enter without a face mask and I should buy the face mask at the door. (I wonder who is profiting from these face mask sales, since they want to force us to buy from them.)

I proceeded to go to the adjacent Fruit and Veg shop and was NOT required to wear or buy a mask, I walked past 3 Police officers, 2 of which were also not wearing masks but were keeping their social distance, and none of them arrested me on the spot for not wearing a face mask. I also went to my local SPAR where I was still given access to enter the shop without a face mask because the compulsory face masks are only from the 1st of MAY.

If their intention is to capitalise on the Covid-19 virus by forcing customers to buy their face masks even though it is not currently compulsory to wear, you have lost my business for good.

Thinking about someone who might not be able to afford their face mask at the door, they might be refused entry to buy food for their families... Disgusting! Econo Foods are actually withholding our right to get food if we don't buy their masks.