Two national retail organizations have expressed concern that some government safety orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic are requiring retail employees to enforce requirements such as wearing a mask while shopping in a store.

In a letter to 50 state retail association, the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association said law enforcement should be responsible for enforcement protection orders applying to employees and customers. The letter does not specify which communities require a retail employee to enforce government safety orders.

It is unfair and potentially dangerous to expect untrained retail employees to enforce governmental orders, the letter states. It continues that law enforcement is trained to enforce the law and de-escalate potentially confrontational conversations with shoppers.

The letter urges retail associations to persuade government against asking employees to enforce safety regulations.