Local shops to ignore end of Covid restrictions in England

Many local shops are to ignore the end of mandatory Covid measures in England and continue with current precautions.

Last week, prime minister Boris Johnson announced he would remove “the last domestic restrictions” in England on 24 February, including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive. The change comes a month ahead of the previous timeline.

Despite the end of restrictions, retailers in England told Better Retailing they will retain Covid measures for customers and staff.

NFRN London district president and owner of HRDV News in Maidenhead, Berkshire, Hetal Patel said measures including counter screens, floor markings, promoting mask use and mandatory self-isolation for Covid-positive staff would continue. Discussing the continuation of a self-isolation policy, Patel said: “We have covering staff organised already and will have to utilise them more. In the worst scenario, we will have to work longer hours or ask if staff are able to cover shifts for those who are absent.”

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Ravi Raveendran, owner of Colombo Mini-Mart in Hounslow, west London, will take an identical approach.

“We will continue advising customers to keep to the two-metre social distancing rule, and we’ll keep our floor markings down to help direct them around the shop and keep a distance from others,” he said. “The barriers by the counter will also remain. I’m not too worried about the legal requirement being removed because we will continue to act cautiously.”

When asked how he would ensure staff continue to self-isolate, Patel said: “We will be making sure our staff continue to take PCR tests regularly. If anybody tests positive, we will be asking them to stay at home to keep everybody safe and reduce the risk of spreading it.”

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The current guidance in England states fully vaccinated people with Covid-19 who test negative with a lateral flow two days in a row can leave isolation after five days – but must isolate for 10 days if still testing positive.

Despite England’s removal of Covid control measures, all other parts of the UK are to continue mandatory self-isolation and other polices, such as mask wearing in stores.

Last week, Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford warned that “the pandemic is not over”.

Find out more on our coronavirus information hub for retailers