Waitrose and other supermarkets introduce social distancing measures – here’s how they work

‘Following calls for stricter social distancing policies, Waitrose will be enforcing new rules in-store to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

New rules announced on 23 March instructed those retailers remaining open during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that a two-metre distance between customers and staff is enforced at all times, with shoppers entering in small groups.

Retailers have also been ordered to manage queues outside their stores to protect shoppers from transmission of the virus.

What new rules is Waitrose enforcing?

As Waitrose is considered an essential service – providing food to shoppers – Waitrose stores will remain open during the coronavirus lockdown, but the supermarket chain is now enforcing new measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus between shoppers and staff.

The amount of customers allowed into the store at any one time will be limited. This limit will be specific to each branch given the number of tills varies in each supermarket.

Shop managers will be in charge of setting the limit, and when it is deemed to be full, a one in, one out policy will be implemented.’