Tesco introduces social distancing measures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak

‘Big 4’ grocer Tesco has written to customers to inform them about the latest measures put in place amid the Covid-19 virus breakout.

CEO Dave Lewis revealed there would be floor markings in store as well as the car park to practice social distancing when queuing. 

The retailer also revealed the number or shoppers entering the store will be restricted and extra cleaning materials and antibacterial gels will be made present for cleaning products and trolleys.

Protective screens will also be made available at all checkouts and Tesco has also introduced a one-way aisle to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The news follows after Aldi introduced protective screens in over 7,000 of its checkouts.

 Tesco also announced in-store wide restrictions resulting in three items per customer on every product line as it removed multi-buy promotions.

Lewis said: “It’s a challenging time for the whole country, but we are committed to playing our part in feeding the nation and to keeping everyone safe.”

Tesco also revealed special hours in stores for NHS staff workers as a “thank you for all they are doing.” On Sundays, NHS staff can browse Tesco’s large stores and select their shopping an hour before the checkouts open.

Lewis also said employees who are in isolation are receiving  full pay from their first day of absence, so that “nobody finds themselves in a situation where they have to work when unwell”. 

He said: “To help support our team, we are recruiting an additional 20,000 temporary colleagues. We’ve already appointed 12,500 new colleagues, but we will need more. We are also bringing in 8,000 new colleagues in driving roles, and we are training them as fast as we can.”

Earlier today, Asda outlined a wide ranging package of measures to help support its colleagues and other workers whose jobs have been impacted by coronavirus.

Acknowledging the “incredible efforts’”of Asda’s hourly paid retail and distribution colleagues, CEO Roger Burnley confirmed to colleagues that they will receive full pay if they need to isolate due to coronavirus.

Where colleagues have been identified as being part of a vulnerable group and need to self-isolate, they will receive full pay for the full 12 weeks to protect their health.