Bunnings has refuted claims it is apologising to people who refuse to wear masks in their stores.
Several instances appeared over the weekend of customers clashing with workers in Melbourne stores over the face coverings.
The most recent incident took place in Maribyrnong where the woman claimed coronavirus was part of a bigger “agenda”.
After getting into an argument with staff over her refusal to wear a face mask, she posted on Facebook that Bunnings had issued an apology.
“Bunnings have just sent me an apology and pulled down their posts and asked me to provide my contact information so they can calmly and respectively find a solution to what wrongfully occurred yesterday in the Maribyrnong store.
“This forced Submission is WRONG Dangerous and inhumane.”
However, Bunnings has debunked those claims.
Managing Director Mike Schneider said staff and customer welfare was their number one priority.
“To be absolutely clear, we require that all customers wear a face mask or face covering if they visit a Bunnings store or Trade Centre in metropolitan Melbourne, or the Mitchell Shire,” he said.
“Exceptions will only be made for children aged under 12 and customers with valid medical reasons.
“Regardless of what some people have said online, we make no apologies for following the advice of the Chief Health Officer in order to keep everyone in our stores safe.
“And to those who are claiming we have backed down from enforcing these rules and apologised, let me be clear: we haven’t and won’t. And any representations that we have are false.”
Face masks in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire became mandatory last Thursday to attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Victoria on Monday reported its highest daily increase in new cases with 532.
A $200 fine applies for anyone found not wearing a mask without a valid exemption.
