With the mutant variant of Covid-19 running rampant through the UK and the government questioning the role of supermarkets in the spread of the virus, industry experts offer their view on whether grocers are doing enough to enforce guidelines.
James Lowman, chief executive, Association of Convenience Stores
Convenience stores have been at the heart of the nation’s response to Covid-19 from the very start.
When the first lockdown hit in March, local shops acted quickly and decisively to ensure that their businesses were safe for customers and colleagues, introducing a range of Covid-secure measures such as Perspex screens and barriers at the tills, one-way systems throughout the store, limits on the number of customers allowed in at any time, and sectioning off the store so that customers can maintain social distancing.
This was followed by the law change around face coverings, with local shops (and other businesses) putting an abundance of signage and other reminders in place to help customers remember to wear a face covering while in store.
Throughout this time, we have been clear about the role of retailers and their colleagues when it comes to enforcement.
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in abuse from customers unwilling to follow the rules – and that’s just as a result of communication, not attempted enforcement.
The people running and working in shops must not be forced to put themselves in harm’s way on a regular basis to enforce these measures.
Hugh Radojev, senior reporter, Retail Week
I’m slightly torn on this issue. On the one hand, from what we’ve seen and heard anecdotally, safety measures that were religiously adhered to in March and April last year do seem to be slipping.
However, as one grocery source said to me last night, supermarket staff are not police officers. Unfortunately, they already face enough abusive behaviour from customers without also trying to intervene every time someone tries to enter a store without a face mask on.
Yet, for the big four at least, the answer to this question is yes. Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda have all committed to barring customers who refuse to wear face masks in stores without medical dispensation and will stop people shopping in groups.
To do that effectively will require outside security because, as with the first lockdown, the police say they are stretched too thinly to enforce rules in supermarkets.
Given the government’s handling of the pandemic, it feels a bit of a cop-out to say this, but ultimately adherence has to come down each and every one of us as customers.
As Morrisons’ chief executive David Potts said yesterday, in order to get through the next few months, we’re all just going to have to be kind to one another.
Paddy Lillis, general secretary, Usdaw
Retail staff are working with the public every day and not only suffer increased abuse, but are deeply worried about catching Covid- 19.
The strict safety measures that we agreed with employers in the first lockdown must now be immediately reinstated in every workplace to ensure that staff are working in the safest conditions possible.
Where safety measures are agreed, retailers need to make sure that they are being followed consistently, in every store.
We are also very concerned by reports that too many customers are not following necessary safety measures like social distancing, wearing a face covering and only shopping for essential items.
Usdaw is urging the shopping public to strictly follow the rules to help make shops safer and limit the spread of Covid-19.
Supermarket workers and delivery drivers have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country supplied with essentials. These key workers must be valued, respected and protected.
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