In Scotland, the 13th July will see the majority of non-essential shops open their doors again for the first time in a while.
Whilst it is great that we are starting to get the shops open again and get more people back to work, it raises the question of how can we do this safely? After all, we still need to maintain social distancing and follow other government guidance.
Thankfully, to keep everyone as safe as possible, shops have confirmed several measures that they will put in place:
- A limited number of people in-store at any one time.
- Staff wearing PPE.
- Plastic screens in front of cash desks.
- Changing the layout of the store to make social distancing easier.
- Provision of hand sanitizer at store entrances and around the store.
- Signs on windows, floors and around the store reminding everyone to social distance. Staff members will also be reminding customers of the importance of staying 2M apart.
- Regular cleaning of surfaces, baskets, trolleys, card machines or any other equipment.
- Keeping changing rooms closed.
- Increasing the limit on contactless payment from £30 to £45 to encourage people to pay with a card rather than cash.
You may be thinking ‘what can I do as a shopper to keep myself and everyone else safe whilst I am visiting the shops?’
- Remember that it is likely you will spend some time queuing to get in the store. If you are visiting a shopping centre there may be a queue to get in the building and then separate queues for each store. Try to plan your visit to account for time spent queuing.
- Be respectful to staff in-store. It is not their fault if there is a big queue to get in, you are asked to wear a mask or use hand sanitizer, if a particular product is not in stock or if an order has not arrived. Remember they do not make the rules!
- Observe the 2M social distancing guidelines. There will be stickers on the floor and staff available to guide you.
- Try to avoid touching products unless you are planning to buy them.
- Try not to touch surfaces such as shelves, cash desks, displays or clothes rails.
- Wear a mask or other face-covering (now compulsory in shops), gloves and use hand sanitiser/wipes.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of any masks/gloves when you leave.
- If you are feeling unwell or have any COVID-19 symptoms you should stay at home.
