It is brilliant to see shops in Southport and Formby reopening today – but there are lots of changes you will see, and some new rules everyone has to follow.
Under the new easing of lockdown rules, businesses such as clothes shops, book shops, music retailers and electronic stores can welcome customers back from today (Monday, June 15).
But new rules and guidance have been issued by the Government to keep staff and shoppers safe:
- Anyone shopping in smaller shops where social distancing is going to be difficult has been told to wear a face covering to protect yourself and others around you, including staff.
- Fitting rooms will be closed.
- Larger families are not allowed in stores
- Contactless payments are being advised at all times.
- Customers should use hand sanitiser upon entry of every shop.
- Shoppers should not touch items they don’t intend to buy.
- Only one person per household will be allowed in store at any time unless you are a parent with a young child.
- One-way systems should be in place as well as barriers where necessary, such as at till points as we have seen in supermarkets throughout the pandemic.
The rule changes come on the same day that secondary schools and places of worship begin to reopen and face coverings become mandatory on public transport and in hospitals.
Read More: As shops reopen after three months in lockdown now’s the time to Shop Local
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Customers will be encouraged to use hand sanitiser and advised not to pick up items as they browse.
“Clothing stores have been told to shut fitting rooms where possible, other than for the purpose of enabling staff to change into protective clothing.”
Staff have been told to wash their hands more frequently and clean surfaces more regularly.
Clothes that have been tried on by customers should be stored away from public display for 72 hours – or thoroughly cleaned – before being brought back on to the shop floor.
Some shopping centres around the UK are introducing additional safety measures to manage crowds – urging shoppers to ‘keep left’ on pedestrianised streets and only enter lifts with members of their household.
In some places there will be separate entrances and exits and a one-way system to manage queues.
Roundabouts systems where corridors meet are being introduced to make sure shoppers are not crossing.
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