Shoppers and retailers in Wolverhampton urged to stick to social distancing rules
Shoppers and retailers across Wolverhampton have been urged to adhere to social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
People should stay two metres – or six feet – away from other people to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Now shops in the city have been encouraged to place limits on how many people can enter – and ask customers to stand apart.
A poster has been drawn by up Wolverhampton Council, which retailers can print off and use in their stores, to showcase the rules.
John Denley, the authority's director of public health, said: "By reducing our day-to-day contact with other people, we reduce the chance of coronavirus spreading, and that is why we all need to follow the Government's social distancing measures.
"The vast majority of residents and retailers, including our city's network of corner shops which are providing an essential service to so many people at this time, are following this guidance correctly.
"Many are operating a ‘one in, one out’ policy to keep the number of shoppers inside to a manageable level, and customers are queuing safely outside at least two metres apart while they wait for their turn to go in.
"It is vitally important that everybody follows these measures if they are to be effective, and I now call on all retailers to ensure they have put the necessary procedures in place to protect their customers and staff from coronavirus."
Customers have been encouraged to pay using contactless methods to reduce the amount of cash being handled by staff.
People are permitted to leave the house to shop for essential supplies, such as for food and medicine, or for their daily walk.
And shoppers have been asked to be patient and cooperate with the measures, chiefs have said.
To download the poster created by Wolverhampton Council, visit https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/ssbk3a.pdf