Non-essential shops have been closed in the UK since March 23rd but essential retailers such as pharmacies, DIY shops and supermarkets have been able to operate and shoppers have already seen changes implemented to ensure social distancing is maintained to protect staff and customers.
Some of the measures implemented include:
- social distancing inside and outside stores
- protective plexiglass at tills
- limiting numbers into stores
- regular cleaning
Although it is not yet clear when non-essential stores will be able to reopen, new guidance has been published advising retailers of new measures, including those above, that may need to be in place to keep shops safe for customers and retail staff.
Under the guidelines, published by the British Retail Consortium and USDAW, it may no longer be possible to try on clothes or even to use cash in store.
If shops fully implement the advice, it could even see customer toilets closing, services which require direct interaction with customers such as make up advice and nail bars, closing and in store cafes to close to ensure customers do not use them to sit down.
Some of the measures mentioned include:
- Limit number of entry and exit points into and out of store
- Limit the number of customers in the store at any time
- Encourage customers to shop alone wherever possible
- Consider one-way systems
- Encourage cashless purchases
- Consider keeping changing rooms closed
- Remove or limit customer seating in store
- Stop services which require direct interaction with customers such as providing
make up advice, nail bars or personal shopping - Consider whether it is safe to keep customer toilets open
- Cafes and restaurants are closed until further notice and should be securely closed
off to ensure customers do not use them for seating
