// Supermarket bosses will hold talks with government to discuss removal of social distancing measures
// Social distancing would only be removed if it could be justified that customer safety would remain a priority
// The call comes after retailers found the restrictions were having an impact on footfall
Supermarket executives will reportedly engage in talks with the government to discuss the removal of social distancing measures, including the one metre-plus rule and mandatory mask wearing.
Retail bosses will hold crunch talks with government officials in the coming days after figures showed the measures were having a major impact on footfall.
Retail sources said social distancing in stores would only be removed if it could be justified by scientific figures and that customer safety would remain the number one priority, The Grocer reported.
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The talks with the government will involve the operations bosses of both food and non-food retailers.
The government is currently reviewing the future of social distancing rules, including the removal of rules on mandatory wearing of masks in shops for staff and customers, as part of plans for a major relaxation on June 21.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said last week businesses were waiting “with bated breath” for the go-ahead to scrap the restrictions, in stores and also in warehouses.
The latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ figures showed footfall was down by 40 per cent compared with before the pandemic.
The BRC said the cost of social distancing measures brought in since the pandemic was now “in the billions”.
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