Retailers ‘cautious’ on reopening despite final government guidance

On Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson gave a subdued press conference ahead of ‘freedom day’ on July 19, saying that while most formal Covid-related restrictions would be lifted from that day, he urged “caution”, reiterating “this pandemic is not over”. 

The government published its guidance for businesses today. While face coverings will no longer be required by law, the guidance “recommends that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces”. 

The guidance also calls for retailers to ”consider the reasonable adjustments needed for staff and clients with disabilities” when drawing up their own strategies on the wearing of masks. 

The policy picture has been muddied further in the days since Johnson’s press conference, with Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon and London mayor Sadiq Khan both announcing they would be keeping mask mandates in force in Scotland and across Transport for London respectively. 

Today the Welsh government said it would be lifting limits on people meeting indoors, but would be keeping mandatory mask mandates in place for indoor public spaces, except in hospitality businesses. 

Safety measures to remain in place

Without formal guidance, retailers across categories have been ploughing ahead with their own strategies for July 19. 

Retail Week understands that many of the large grocers, such as Tesco, Asda and the Co-op, will be keeping some of the safety measures in store including perspex screens at tills and self-checkouts, and hand sanitiser stations. 

One grocery source said: “Things like screens at checkouts, grocers have invested huge amounts of money in them and they know that they work. Some other measures may be relaxed, but those will stay at least for the time being.” 

Waterstones chief executive James Daunt said he would be leaving all safety measures in place in stores and would continue to encourage customers to wear face coverings. 

“Things like screens at checkouts, grocers have invested huge amounts of money in them and they know that they work. Some other measures may be relaxed, but those will stay at least for the time being”

A Poundland spokesman said it would follow the different rules across the four countries and will update in-store signage to reflect the changing rules in England that state mask-wearing for customers is a choice. 

“We will keep the measures we’ve put in place – for example, screens at checkouts and sanitising stations – in all our stores so customers can continue to shop with us with confidence, and we can support and protect colleagues,” the spokesman added. 

A source at a fashion retailer described the situation as “a shitshow”, and added “the government has completely abdicated responsibility”. 

“We can’t expect store teams to enforce loose guidance. Masks are obviously the key issue, but also no regulations on store capacity, fitting rooms or screens. Then there’s the practical stuff like printing signs to inform customers of our policy. Impossible to do on time when everything is changing by the day.” 

British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The decision by government is a big change from what the public has got used to in the past 16 months and it will everyone take time to adjust. 

“The prime minister has said he expects people to continue to wear face coverings in many locations that they currently are required to.

“Retailers are also likely to continue with many of the existing safety measures such as hand sanitiser and perspex screens. We are awaiting the detailed guidance and it is vital the government is as clear as possible as to how they expect people to act after July 19. 

“There has been a big rise in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic, and colleagues cannot be put in the firing line because of this change in policy.”

Retail Week understands that the official guidance is now either with the Cabinet Office or at Number 10 awaiting final sign off.