Mask requirement at Aldi: “heartless” accusation – this is how the discounter reacts

Created: 01/24/2022, 21:14

By: Tobias Becker

A Facebook user accuses discounter giant Aldi of being "heartless".

He is referring to an incident that recently took place in Baden-Württemberg.

How does Aldi Süd react to this?

Due to the numerous changes in the Corona regulations, there is confusion in many places.

Some information does not reach the population in time.

The reason for this is probably that the regulations are constantly being adapted to the current situation and then there are also regional differences.

Different rules apply in Heidelberg than in Mannheim* or in the neighboring federal states such as Hesse or Rhineland-Palatinate*.

An example is the obligation to wear FFP2 or comparable masks when shopping*.

Anyone who is currently shopping at the discounter giant Aldi, for example, has had to wear a medical mask nationwide since January 19th.

In Baden-Württemberg this has been the case since January 12th.

This causes unrest when shopping.

Aldi employees must point this out to customers, customers must know and comply.

This is a big topic at Aldi Süd on Facebook right now.

There was a serious complaint there.

"Heartless" accusation against Aldi: customer is angry about dealing with senior

User Tobias B. complains heavily to Aldi on Facebook. The reason is exactly the regulation mentioned. Tobias writes: "I read an article that you threw a 78-year-old out of your branch in Kornwestheim just because he wore a surgical mask instead of an FFP2 mask." Then the hammer accusation against Aldi: " How heartless are you actually?” The Facebook user would have liked more understanding.

Tobias B. explains that the older gentleman didn't have to be thrown out straight away, but could have pointed out the rules to him.

The user accusation is even harder, because in this case dealing with a person goes against the grain.

Facebook user Tobias, who probably works in a butcher's shop himself, continues: "I would never think of treating an old person so disrespectfully, let alone any person."

Rrrrrums!

The statement fits.

The sender of the post also wishes that Aldi* should give its customers some time to adjust.

But how does Aldi Süd react to the allegations?

And is the complaint about the incident in a branch in Kornwestheim (near Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg) reasonable?

The answer: This is how Aldi Süd reacted to the Facebook user's "heartless" accusation

Aldi Süd takes the time and responds quickly and frequently to customer postings on Facebook, as HEIDELBERG24* has reported frequently.

In the past few days, community manager Irek has reacted very humorously* to a “super roll”, to a previously lost Christmas present* with understanding and to many other inquiries as well, mostly appropriately.

And now?

After all, Aldi Süd is being severely attacked in this case.

Heartlessness?

Are the emotional Christmas spots* just a farce?

Aldi Süd first answers the requirements that the discounter giant must also comply with.

That means: “Since January 12, in BW indoor areas with a mask requirement, people over the age of 18 have to wear an FFP2 or comparable mask.” Then Irek writes what should actually be clear to every customer: “We as retailers have to follow this regulation and on site make sure that it is implemented.” Not an easy task for the employees of Aldi, Lidl and Co., who are repeatedly subjected to discussions.

After the "heartless" accusation: Aldi Süd admits mistakes – and gets unexpected help

But: Aldi Süd then goes into the case in Kornwestheim – with a big surprise. Aldi Süd on Facebook to user Tobias: "However, the case you mentioned took place before the adjustment and the colleagues on site were probably a bit overzealous." Means: there was probably no FFP2 mask requirement, the behavior of Aldi employees wrong in this case. "At least the behavior described does not meet our standards and we have already forwarded the criticism to the responsible local authorities," writes Community Manager Irek in Aldi Süd's response.

Whether the criticism in the harshness on Facebook was necessary and justified remains open.

However, another user briefly and succinctly comments on the post: "It's called domiciliary rights." He is probably pointing out that Aldi Süd sets the rules in the branches.

It was not the first post about this incident, because as reported by kreiszeitung.de, it was discussed on Facebook immediately after the events of January 7th.

Nor was it the first time a customer was kicked out of an Aldi Süd branch.

In Mannheim, a case caused a stir in which a pregnant woman had to leave the discount store*.

(tobi)