Author Topic: Covid-- safe shopping.  (Read 14887 times)

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Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #45 on: April 28, 2020, 12:18:42 pm »
New guidelines on what retaillers can and cannot do when they reopen have been published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

One measure means that shoppers may be unable to try on clothes when stores reopen.
The advice is one of several precautionary recommendations published by the retail lobby group, ahead of lockdown measures beginning to ease.

Though there is currently no set date for the reopening of non-essential shops, such as clothing stores, the BRC has said that these businesses need to be prepared ahead of time to ensure that their reopening does not cause a spike in coronavirus infections.

The BRC collaborated with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers to produce the guidance for non-food retail stores, drawing on some of the hygiene and social distancing measures currently in place at some supermarkets as well as government advice.

Encouraging customers to shop alone
Limiting the amount of people allowed in-store
Scheduling deliveries to avoid overcrowding
Regularly cleaning lift buttons, hand rails and door handles
Encouraging customers to maintain a distance of two metres from one another with markings
Limiting entry and exit points
Keeping changing rooms closed
The chief executive of the BRC, Helen Dickinson told The Express: “Retailers are closely following developments from the Government on when restrictions might be eased and are starting to plan accordingly.

“Since the lockdown, many retailers have proved how shops can be run safely and effectively in line with the Government’s social distancing advice.
“This guidance is the product of retail’s incredible efforts to adapt to exceptional circumstances.”

Certain non-food retailers - such as B&Q - have already trialed reopening with strict social distancing measures in place.

Hardware stores were considered "essential" retailers under government advice, but until recently, most were operating online or collection services only.
Other retailers will be closely following government advice to determine when they will reopen.        ref Pioneer


Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #46 on: April 29, 2020, 10:46:24 am »
B&Q has now opened another 130 UK stores - including sites in North Wales.

 These include stores in Bangor, Llandudno, Rhyl and Wrexham.

B&Q is strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time.

All open stores have a designated queuing area outside and these have markers every two metres to help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space.

To further support social distancing, stores have two metre floor markers throughout as well as other point of sale, and perspex screens have been installed at the checkouts.

Only products that you can shop and takeaway in store on the day are available to customers.

This is currently a reduced offer with services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, timber cutting and key cutting are not available for the time being and only card and contact-less payments are accepted.           ref DP


Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping...........'Germ Defence Guide'
« Reply #47 on: May 11, 2020, 03:03:19 pm »
People are being warned to leave parcels for 72 hours before opening them in a bid to reduce the risk of coronavirus.

A 'Germ Defence Guide' put together by researchers from Bath, Bristol and Southampton Universities has been published to advise people on how to "create their own forcefield" against Covid-19.

It includes putting deliveries in a cupboard for three days before opening them to allow time for any signs of the virus on or inside the packaging to die.

On their website they say: "It can take up to three days (72 hours) for the coronavirus to completely die on hard surfaces – such as cardboard, plastic or metal.

"If you can wait three days, then the risk of catching the virus is at its lowest.

"If you are receiving a delivery, can you put things in a spare cupboard for three days before you use them?

"If three days isn’t possible, then aim for as long as you can – as soon as the virus leaves our bodies it starts to die so even after one day it is much weaker than it was before."

They add that as it’s not possible to leave everything for three days, the other option is to clean hard surfaces with disinfectant.

Cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/leave-parcels-72-hours-before-18232219

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #48 on: May 12, 2020, 03:56:57 pm »
Primark have addressed rumours that the budget fashion chain are set to reopen a number of high street stores.

It comes amid increased speculation on social media that the company would return 'within days'.

Cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18442956.primark-reopening-chain-addresses-rumours-circulating-social-media/

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #49 on: May 31, 2020, 03:08:33 pm »
"Having queued up, patiently and socially distancing, as I neared the entrance a shop worker clipped a carabiner onto the belt loop of my jeans, my perplexed expression must have said it all as she explained that whilst people are distancing in the queue outside, they aren't distancing once inside the store.

"So what someone has dreamt up is to rope six or so customers together with 2m of rope between each of us! WTAF?!

"Well these are strange times, and with the threat of a second wave of infection, I thought I'd best not complain and just toe the line (or perhaps 'tow' the line would be more appropriate!).

"I'm telling you now, what an absolutely idiotic idea this is."

More   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tesco-sees-funny-side-ludicrous-18338318

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #50 on: June 24, 2020, 10:04:52 am »
The biggest supermarket chains across the country have updated their rules on whether or not face masks should be worn in store.

It comes after the UK government released guidance in May regarding the wearing of masks in both essential and non-essential shops.

Currently, it remains optional as to whether they should be worn inside shops and supermarkets. But the major chains have put their own guidance in place.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18537743.aldi-asda-tesco-sainsburys-m-s-update-face-mask-rules/

Offline Dave

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #51 on: July 08, 2020, 04:58:24 pm »
All change at Aldi today. It was very quiet this morning but it was a bit like back to normal with many people basically just doing as they pleased and ignoring distancing if it suited them to.
The authorities are all expecting a second peak but don't seem to be doing too much to try and prevent it either.
I don't understand why masks have not been made mandatory in shops here in Wales. Scotland takes the lead there.

Offline Ian

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #52 on: July 08, 2020, 05:54:12 pm »
I agree.  The main point is that the mask provides some alleviation of risk if an asymptomatic infected person is around. It's not a lot of use in prtoecting the wearers, but it does help stop the infected from spreading.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Dave

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #53 on: July 08, 2020, 05:58:37 pm »
I don't understand why there is a reluctance to make masks mandatory, our man in Cardiff seems to think it will make people lower their guard and ignore social distancing but to my mind it's already happening and that's why we should be wearing them!!

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #54 on: September 05, 2020, 10:40:42 am »
Shoppers 'behaving like pandemic has ended' in some North Wales supermarkets.

Supermarkets should be widely inspected to check if social distancing guidelines are being followed, a councillor has said.

Conwy county councillor Aaron Wynne, said he was “disappointed” there appeared to be “little effort” to protect staff and customers in some supermarkets.

 “Things have definitely changed since mid-July and some people are behaving like the pandemic has ended.
“It’s very worrying. The supermarkets have said they are doing all they can but it’s very difficult for staff if they don’t have the backup from management.

“You go to the shops, you see crowds in there and you see the whole family unit shopping, which there is no need for.

“What I would like to see is Conwy follow the lead of the council in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is upping its inspections by environmental health to ensure social distancing is being followed.”

Responding to Cllr Wynne’s petition, Elizabeth Wallis said: “The one-way systems that were originally in place made the supermarkets much safer.............“They should be reinstated despite the slight inconvenience.”

Christine Hargreaves called for “mandatory” mask use in shops. She said: “I wear my mask to protect others, they should surely respect this and reciprocate. It should be mandatory in stores.”

Lesley Heatley said: “I never shop at weekends anymore – too scary.”

June Powell said she was “scared to go shopping in the big stores now – people just wandering about with no distancing”.

Conwy county council said it would “continue to carry out inspections of premises”.

A spokeswoman said: “The issue of supermarkets and Covid-19 precautions has been raised nationally and we know the Welsh Local Government Association leader is writing to council leaders highlighting his local concerns and seeking views on the consistency of large supermarkets’ Covid precautions around social distancing, queuing and one-way systems, provision of hand sanitisers and PPE equipment for staff.

“The WLGA has also raised the issue with ministers who are supportive of authorities who are required to take any necessary enforcement action.”           ref DP

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #55 on: September 13, 2020, 12:30:23 pm »
Supermarkets warned to keep to pandemic regulations as councils get new powers to close premises.

Improvement Notices have been served to some supermarkets in Wales over issues with a lack of social distancing, as Welsh Government hand councils more power to take quick local action.

Yesterday the First Minister Mark Drakeford announced extra powers for local councils to allow them to take more action, he said: “From Monday, we will give local authorities new powers to take action themselves to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Most people in Wales have worked hard and complied with the rules, but a small minority have not done so. These new powers which come into force on Monday, will allow local authorities to close premises or prevent events from happening on public health grounds. ”

Although no such action has been taken locally that North.Wales is aware of against supermarkets, there have been ongoing complaints raised on social media over issues with social distancing in some supermarkets and reports of loosening of standards in recent weeks.

Offline Hugo

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #56 on: September 13, 2020, 03:11:32 pm »
It will be interesting to see the initial reaction tomorrow when face coverings will be required in all indoor public places, for both customers and staff working in those indoor public areas. This includes a very wide range of locations, such as shops and shopping centres, places of worship, hairdressers and salons, cinemas and museums, gyms and leisure centres, and anywhere that is open to members of the public.

If people don't don't adhere to these and other rules then further restrictions may become inevitable

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #57 on: September 26, 2020, 01:57:52 pm »
The government's of the four devolved nations across the UK - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - are keeping the situation under constant review as coronavirus cases rise, further safety measures have also been rolled out by supermarkets to keep staff and shoppers safe.

The new measures, to be implemented in the coming weeks, include:
The creation of 1,000 new Asda Safety Marshals stationed at the front of every store and in the aisles of larger stores. These colleagues will be on hand to help customers with safety queries and reiterate Government guidelines to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing while they shop. Customers who do not have a covering when they enter the store will be offered a pack of disposable masks that they can pay for as they complete their shopping.

Additionally, those marshals stationed at the store entrance will provide sanitised baskets / trolleys to customer as they enter the store.
Introducing additional hand sanitisation stations in the busiest sections of all stores in addition to the multiple cleaning points already found throughout stores.

Applying a protective coating to all basket and trolley handles, creating an antimicrobial surface that prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses. The same coating technology (Bio Master X shield) is already used to kill bacteria and viruses in the NHS Nightingale Excel hospital.

MORE    https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18750786.supermarkets-rationing-products/

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #58 on: January 08, 2021, 01:48:19 pm »
Quote from the First Minister in today's conference ....

"1:17pm
He said some measures in shops are no longer as apparent, and wants those protections in place again.

He said they have worked closely with supermarkets and they have done a remarkably good job but wants to give confidence to shoppers that everything is being done."

They are talking to supermarkets about more visible set of measures.

1:15pm
They are speaking with supermarkets for a more visible set of measures e.g last March staff had someone at the front door, visible sanitising arrangements, one way markings etc


Recent talk .... Shops no longer following hygiene/safe shopping practices  ? ................  any comments please

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid-- safe shopping.
« Reply #59 on: January 11, 2021, 05:23:15 pm »
Cabinet discusses tighter supermarket rules in Wales today as Morrisons bans shoppers without masks
The Welsh Government cabinet has met to consider the options for making stores safer

First Minister Mark Drakeford said on Friday they wanted "to be confident" that supermarkets are being run in Wales today in the same way they were back in the first spring lockdown.

At that point many stores had one way systems in place as well as staff outside stores to ensure capacity limits were strictly maintained.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cabinet-discusses-tighter-supermarket-rules-19604614