Question reference: S5W-33258
- Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 16 November 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 November 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether tighter COVID-19 measures will be put in place for the busier Christmas shopping period to ensure that supermarkets can protect their staff.
Answer
There are well-established measures in place for supermarkets with many now standard operating practice. These include ensuring there is a two metre distance between customers; limiting the numbers of customers in stores at any one time; managing customer movement within stores through using one way systems; mandatory face coverings for customers and staff, including for staff communal areas; barriers and screens at checkouts; and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures. All of these measures are contained in the Scottish Government’s Retail Sector Guidance which was co-developed in consultation with industry and trades unions.
As the Christmas shopping period stores will be markedly busier it is vitally important to ensure the safety of both staff and customers that existing measures are followed and customer compliance is encouraged through the Scottish Government’s FACTS campaign.