// Welsh grocers must now offer sanitisers for hands & trolleys, limit customer numbers & enforce 2m distancing
// Covid-19 risk assessments will now also have to be carried out by any business that employs 5 or more
Stricter rules for supermarkets are to be introduced in Wales to help prevent the spread of the new strain of Covid, the country’s First Minister has announced.
Mark Drakeford said regulations would be strengthened to make sure retailers offer sanitisers for hands and trolleys, limit the numbers of people inside stores, and ensure people keep their distance from others.
The new rules announced today are part of a package of measures introduced following concerns that a faster spreading variant of Covid is behind a spike of transmissions.
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Specific Covid-19 risk assessments will now also have to be carried out by any business that employs five or more people to help prevent the spread of the new strain.
They include things like making sure there is adequate ventilation, making sure people are physically distancing and using PPE, and to consider whether their employees can work from home.
Drakeford said the risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly by law even when Wales moves down from its current Alert Level 4.
“We are working closely with employers, trade unions, local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe,” he said.
“Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic.
“They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry, limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.
“We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike.
“Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.
“However we all have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible. We all need to shop alone if we can, observe the two-metre rule, practise good hand hygiene and wear a face covering unless exempt.
“Any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities will not be tolerated.”
with PA Wires
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