The chief executive of Tesco's UK business, Jason Tarry, has shared a number of updates to the safety measures related to COVID-19 for stores across England as the country lifts its remaining public health restrictions today (19 July).
Tarry has urged shoppers to take a cautious approach in-stores in the coming weeks.
He believes it is "important to continue with certain measures to be on the safe side," and encouraged shoppers to continue to wear face coverings in stores, despite them no longer being compulsory.
For stores in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, face coverings remain mandatory unless exempt, as set out in government guidance.
Tesco, which saw a 9.3% increase in like-for-like sales in its first quarter, said that it will continue to provide sanitiser and wipes at the store entrance, screens at checkout, and the traffic light system for entering stores.
Other services include a quieter hour for shopping and priority slots in online shopping for vulnerable customers.
Supporting Communities
As well as discussing safety measures, Tarry outlined Tesco's efforts in helping local communities tackle COVID-19.
Tarry gave "a big thank you" to everyone who donated to Tesco's Summer Food Collection in larger stores this weekend, which helps feed families across the country.
The collection points for the initiative in Tesco Express stores remain open until 28 August.
To help as many people as possible, Tesco is topping up all donations by an extra 20%.
The retailer is also launching a new campaign called Buy One to Help a Child, which aims to donate up to three million meals to help children living in food insecurity.
Sainsbury's Calls On Shoppers
Elsewhere, Sainsbury's also issued a statement urging shoppers to keep wearing face coverings in store for the time being.
'While wearing a face covering will become a personal choice, the decision to ask everyone in stores to continue to wear a face covering if they can reflects feedback from customers and colleagues where the majority of people surveyed want to keep the policy in place,' the retailer said.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Conor Farrelly. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
