Waitrose has backed the government’s plea for social distancing by announcing a set of new measures to help its protect its customers and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
From today, the retailer’s supermarkets and convenience stores will begin limiting the number of customers allowed in at any one time. Shop managers will be asked to use their judgment on customer numbers and will operate a one in, one out policy when stores are full.
Marshals will be introduced to help to manage queues outside shops and if necessary, remind customers to respect the two metre social distancing rule.
Waitrose is also introducing in-store floor signage to ensure that customers remain two metres apart when queueing at checkouts and at welcome desks.
In addition, screens will put up at checkouts to protect staff and customers from infected moisture droplets. Staff will also be provided with protective visors if they request them.
To promote social distancing further, Waitrose will close one checkout wherever there are two checkouts operating back to back.
Meanwhile, Waitrose is encouraging customers to shop in a cashless and contactless way to prevent unnecessary contact.
Bérangère Michel, executive director of customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “The health of our partners and customers has always been our number one priority and we fully support social distancing.
“While these measures will dramatically change how people shop and interact with others in our stores for the moment – they are absolutely vital to ensure that our customers can shop safely and that our partners are protected as they go above and beyond to serve shoppers in this time of crisis.”
