The new rules at Trinity Leeds and White Rose on masks, one-way systems, capacity and cleaning for July 19

But shoppers at the two centres will notice changes, including no more one-way systems and a return to full capacity.

The latest Government guidance says shoppers will still be expected to wear face masks and table service should continue in pubs and bars, even though it will no longer be a statutory requirement from Monday.

The move has been widely criticised by both trade unions and employers, with ministers accused of sending out “mixed messages” while giving businesses little time to prepare the new regime.

A spokesperson for Landsec, which manages Trinity Leeds and White Rose, said: “With the relaxation of restrictions from 19 July, the health and wellbeing of everyone that visits our centres remains our highest priority and for that reason we will be keeping in place the additional cleaning regimes we’ve had throughout the pandemic and hand sanitiser will continue to be available.

“There will however be some changes that guests will see. These changes include the removal of the current one-way system and returning capacity levels to what they were pre-Covid.

“From the 19th July, it is expected that anyone visiting our centres will wear a mask, unless they are exempt, and our teams will also continue to wear masks to protect those around them.

"We ask that anyone visiting our centres treats fellow guests and staff with respect and gives each other a little bit of extra space as we get used to this more relaxed approach.

The spokesperson added: “Although ‘Freedom Day’ is not a time for celebration – this has been an incredibly difficult time for many people – our outlook is one of positivity and excitement as we welcome back guests into a safe, fully reopen retail and leisure experience.”

Tesco Asda, Lidl and Waitrose have also said they will encourage customers and shop workers to continue wearing masks in their supermarkets from July 19.

On Wednesday evening, fellow supermarket chain Sainsbury’s said it will encourage all customers to wear a face covering if they can after “freedom day”.

Tesco has said it will also leave a raft of virus curbs, such as distancing measures, in place across its shops.

Last week, the supermarket started an internal review regarding its mask-wearing policies ahead of the latest easing of restrictions.

The firm said it will continue to have capacity limits in its stores, protective screens at checkouts, hand sanitiser stations and regular cleaning after speaking with customers and colleagues.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Since the start of the pandemic, we have focused on ensuring everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.

“Having listened to our customers and colleagues, we will continue to have safety measures in place in our stores; these include limiting the number of people in store at any time, protective screens at every checkout, hand sanitiser stations and regular cleaning.

“We’re asking our customers and colleagues to be on the safe side, and so from July 19 we’ll be encouraging our colleagues to wear face coverings whilst they work and encouraging our customers to do the same when they shop with us.”

Asda will have signage and announcements to encourage customers to follow Government guidance and will continue to provide face coverings in shops for people who wish to use them.

A spokesman said: “We encourage customers to be respectful to each other and to follow the Government guidance on face coverings when shopping in our stores after 19 July.”

Staff and customers at Waitrose and John Lewis have also been recommended to continue wearing masks but said it will ultimately be up to individual judgment.

A spokesman for the John Lewis Partnership, the parent company of both brands, said: “In line with Government guidance, we will recommend that our customers and partners in England continue to wear a face covering, unless exempt, from July 19.

“The decision over whether to do so or not, when in our shops, will be for each individual to take, based on their own judgment.

“Across all of our stores we will be retaining perspex screens and hand sanitising stations.

“We will also maintain all of the hand hygiene and store cleaning disciplines which have served us well since the start of the pandemic.”

The retail group added that it will continue to follow legislation in Scotland and Wales which requires customers and employees to wear masks, unless exempt.

Aldi also confirmed its position on masks in its stores in the wake of the guidance from Government.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “From Monday July 19, we’ll continue to encourage customers and colleagues to wear face coverings when they’re in store. Other measures like hand sanitiser and screens will also stay in place.

“Face masks are still required for customers and colleagues in our Welsh and Scottish stores, in line with the latest guidance.”

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