// Usdaw urges the government to keep safety measures in place in stores
// The union is urging Brits to continue to wear face coverings while in shops
The retail trade union Usdaw is urging the government not to lift safety measures in stores as part of the release of Covid restrictions set to take place from July 19th.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce another relaxing of the lockdown measures in England later today, which will take effect on July 19th.
According to reports, the legal need to wear facemasks indoors and on public transportation will be repealed and replaced with advisory guidelines.
It is also anticipated that the one-metre rule will go, being replaced with guidance for businesses and hospitality on how to mitigate the risks.
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “This is not the right time to water down safety in stores and the government should not be removing the requirements of face coverings and distancing in busy public areas like shops.”
He added: “Usdaw is urging the shopping public to continue to wear face coverings, along with necessary hand sanitisation and maintaining social distancing to help make shops safer and limit the spread of Covid-19.
“We also continue to call on employers to maintain appropriate safety measures and ensure that they are being followed consistently, in every store.”
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