Retail workers discuss challenges in enforcing Covid regulations in Coffs stores.

For some retail workers encouraging shoppers to adhere to the public health orders is a breeze, for others it is a daily battle.

“You are not children. We are not the police.”

In a single comment on The Coffs Coast Advocate’s facebook page last week, Mel Winkler summed up the feelings of many in the retail sector as they navigate the pandemic under ever increasing restrictions.

In July the NSW government mandated shoppers check in with a QR code at all retail outlets in an effort to help contact tracers get a handle on the latest outbreak.

While the measures have been welcomed by many, some retail staff in Coffs Harbour have noted that there are some people who either refuse to comply or take the any opportunity to argue the point with those staff who are simply doing their jobs.

“Thumbs down to those in the community who still do not understand the importance of signing into retail stores when they enter,” Mel Winkler wrote.

“You are not children, you are grown adults who are old enough to take responsibility of yourselves. We are not the Police, nor do we get paid to be law enforcement.

“We also don’t get any mental support to deal with your rudeness and blatant disregard for other people’s safety.”

Mel Winkler posted this plea to Coffs Coast shoppers in The Coffs Coast Advocate's Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down call out. Some retail staff are sick of being challenged on the health directives they are required to enforce in their stores.

The Coffs Coast Advocate spoke to a number of retail workers in Coffs Harbour and while there were some who had experienced little push back this year, others said Ms Winkler’s post summed up how they were feeling to a tee.

Common among the issues staff were forced to deal with were people not wearing their masks correctly, not signing in and copping abuse or pushback when they asked people to comply with the health directives.

One worker said she felt that when she tried to explain the mental impact of consistently being challenged, as if they were the ones who had made the rules, people brushed it off.

Workers spoke on the condition of anonymity as they did not have authorisation to speak to the media.

“When I read Mel’s post I felt validated and like I wasn’t being dramatic or too sensitive because it is exactly my experience,” she said.

“It happens every day and it builds up and builds up and creates a lot of stress.

“It comes down to people’s attitudes. I am just trying to do my job, and by people checking in and wearing masks it means we stay open and it means the community is safer.”

The experience varied across stores, with some retail staff saying that people had become more compliant during these latest restrictions than when they were first introduced in 2020.

“This time around most of the community here in Coffs is very compliant, everyone complains about having to wear a mask but they are all happy to wear a mask because they feel they are doing their bit,” another retail worker said.

“A lot of our customers regular and I am one of the lucky ones that hasn’t had any aggression.

“That makes our job easier because we are all in it together.”

The CBD retail centre Coffs Central. Photo: Tim Jarrett

But while there might be a greater level of compliance in some stores, that didn’t mean the pandemic wasn’t taking a toll. Some staff spoke of the impact having to enforce the health directives in-store had on their energy levels.

Not to mention the fact that masks meant communication was often more of a challenge and even seeing someone smile was a rare occurrence indoors.

“It is a challenge because in retail you want to engage with people and I – as I am sure other people do – find it difficult to engage with people on a level you want to engage with.”

The growing impact the Covid-19 pandemic was having on mental health has been well documented and this year the federal government announced $2.3 billion investment into improving mental health outcomes and suicide prevention.

It has been a challenging time for the retail sector with Park Beach Plaza still from being caught up in a list of Covid exposure sites which turned out to be false.

At the end of July, Healthy North Coast announced a new free telephone and online service, MindStep, targeted at people with mild mental health illness. Delivered by trained mental health coaches the confidential services do not require a referral by a GP.

“For people needing support with managing stress or worry, it’s so important that we have services available to provide help when and where needed, so that support can be accessed early,” Ms Sturgess said.

“The ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in mental health concerns across the world. Now, more than ever, we have to encourage ourselves to seek help,” said Ms Sturgess.

To access MindStep, call 1800 322 278 or visit www.remedyhealthcare.com.au/mindstep-hnc.