More of a problem in shops than in public transport

From the 10^th October, face masks have been compulsory in the shops in Zug. It hasn’t happened completely without problems.

In the first two days, the sales staff had to remind almost every second customer to put on a face mask, says Peter Speck of the Confiserie Speck. He adds: "It took customers a moment to get used to it. Now it's working better."

The traditional Zug company didn't have to use a bouncer in its shops and cafés, however. "Fortunately, this wasn't necessary." There were no cases where customers refused to wear a face mask. "Some had to first go and pick up the forgotten face mask in their car, however." Individual face masks can’t be bought in the confectionery. But according to the motto "necessity is the mother of invention", the staff were able serve those did not have a mask with them at the shop door.

Does Peter Speck think the government's action makes sense? "We had already introduced the general mask requirement ourselves within the company five days earlier, i.e.  in production. We wanted to prevent entire teams from having to go into quarantine," Says Speck. He considers the requirement for customers to wear face masks to be unhelpful, however.

"The masks are constantly put on and taken off, and hands are usually not disinfected. In the end, this is more dangerous for us."

Zug customers don’t let the mask obligation spoil their shopping pleasure.

According to Speck, the distance rule is likely to be handled a little more loosely with the face mask requirement. But: "People generally keep more distance. As a result, depending on the operation, we are increasingly working in a draught, because the doors remain open." This means that there is a risk that the employees could catch a cold.

Strenuous for the employees
The measures also caused some initial problems in the Bellefleur flower shop on the Kolinplatz. "Although we point out the mask obligation by means of a sign in front of the shop, people did not stick to it well," reports manage Barbara Birchler. Time and again, she and her sales team have had to point this out to customers.

No-one refused to comply with the request, however, and the customers reacted in an understanding way. If someone doesn't have a face mask with them, the staff help out. Barbara Birchler says: "Wearing a face mask is really tedious for us. You perspire under it if you have to keep one on all day long."

The sales staff also often have to repeat themselves, because communication is more difficult. "We also have to keep the distance, and don't want to have to shout at our customers. It's extremely exhausting." But there is no way around it, Birchler admits. Everyone must comply with the face mask obligation.

Migros and Coop praise the clientele
The two major distributors give their customers a good report. "They have shown great understanding and have complied with the obligation virtually without exception," says Lisa Savenberg, media spokeswoman for Migros Lucerne. There have been no problems in the Zugerland shopping centre and in the Migros stores in general. "The mask obligation was already known from other cantons and from the point of view of public transport," Savenberg continues. "Accordingly, customers are adapting to the new situation." The employees of the Coop stores Zug have also experienced the shoppers as being very understanding.

While a security service or employees received and instructed customers at the entrance in the first few days at busy Migros locations, the Coop has relied on posters and announcements at the sales outlets. "In addition, our employees address customers who don’t wear a face mask and remind them of the measure," writes Coop media spokesman Patrick Häfliger. "If you don't want to put on a face mask, we will ask you to leave the point of sale." Both large distributors offer single face masks for the price of 50 Rappen. The distance rule still applies in all Coop and Migros branches, despite the requirement to wear masks. Both spokespersons stress the importance of the safety of customers and employees.

Do Zug customers consider the mask requirement in the shops to be sensible?

Maria Riedel (75), Zug
The Zug pensioner Maria Riedel belongs to the risk group. She does not feel very restricted by the face mask obligation. "On the contrary," she stresses, "I welcome this measure. It makes me feel safer in a way." She has observed that her fellow customers also adhere well to the mask obligation. "I have never seen anyone refuse to wear one or argue about it."

Deborah Schleiss (39), Hünenberg See
The young mother Deborah Schleiss feels that the face mask obligation is a restriction, "but it's not bad," she admits. In principle, she herself relies more on strengthening her immune system in order to fight the coronavirus. "I keep fit and attach great importance to healthy eating. That's why I wouldn't really need a face mask." Nevertheless, she wouldn’t like to have to swap places with the decision-makers.

Erwin Deflorin (85), Zug
"My glasses always steam up. It's a bit annoying," explains pensioner Erwin Deflorin. But otherwise wearing a face mask while shopping is no problem. He welcomed the scheme, but felt safe even before the mask requirement was introduced. "I no longer go to discos or similar venues, like the young people, but meet with friends of my age, who all follow the rules well."

Filip Grganovic (25), Zug

Filip Grganovic commutes between Zug and Zurich and has therefore known the mask requirement in shops for some time. "I sometimes forget to bring a mask." Which is why he had to buy one on the spot. The young student finds the measure unnecessary. "I don't agree with it. I don't see that we will reduce the number of cases in this way," he says.

Christina Gassmann (26), Märstetten (TG).

Christina Gassmann does not believe that the face mask requirement in shops protects anyone against the virus. "The mask is constantly touched with the hands, put on and taken off again. The protection is therefore probably not very effective," says the young teacher. "But it's certainly a good measure to raise people's awareness of the corona virus. Otherwise, discipline would diminish," she says.