COVID-19 UPDATE

TOP DOCS WARN AGAINST COVID COMPLACENCY

LEADING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HAVE QUESTIONED WHETHER THE UK HAS MADE THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES.

Medical experts have called for a review into the UK’s state of readiness for a second wave of coronavirus.

In an open letter published in the British Medical Journal, 16 of the country’s top doctors warned that “action is needed urgently to prevent further loss of life.”

The move came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a broad relaxation of lockdown regulations in England with pubs, restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers reopening from 4 July. A “one-metre plus” social distancing rule also comes in.

Although Scotland has eased lockdown conditions somewhat, the two-metre rule remains (as it does in Wales and Northern Ireland) and it is now mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport and in taxis.

UNION CALLS ON RETAILERS TO KEEP CUSTOMERS TWO METRES APART

THE PRIME MINISTER’S NEW ‘ONE METRE PLUS’SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDANCE PROMPTS SAFETYCONCERNS FROM USDAW.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has urged retailers to maintain social distancing in shops at two metres, as agreed in joint safety guidance, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a ‘one metre plus’ rule for situations where two metre distancing cannot be observed. Johnson confirmed to the House of Commons yesterday that “where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should”.

Paddy Lillis (pictured), Usdaw General Secretary, commented: “It has taken a lot of hard work and effort to make the changes to encourage customers to follow social distancing of two metres in shops that stayed open throughout the lockdown.

“We urge retailers to maintain their existing safety measures. Retail is working well under the two-metre rule, it is not necessary to reduce to one metre.”

SGF DISAPPOINTMENT AT BUSINESS SUPPORT CONDITIONALITY RECOMMENDATION

Scottish Grocers Federation has strongly criticised key recommendations in the report from the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.

The Group was established by the Scottish Government to provide independent expert advice on supporting the sectors and regions of Scotland’s economy to recover from the impact of Covid-19. It has been asked to deliver its recommendations by the end of June, in time to inform the Scottish Government’s approach to supporting Scotland’s economic recovery.

The report states that the government’s approach should include targeted use of rates relief to incentivise economic recovery but that this should be accompanied by greater use of conditionality – this could mean that to qualify for the small business bonus, retailers would have to pledge to pay the Scottish government’s living wage or invest in skills in training.

FRANCHISEES PRAISE ONE STOP’S STRONG COVID SUPPORT

The measures taken to support One Stop stores, colleagues and customers during the Covid-19 crisis have been praised by the retailer’s franchisees.

They took to social media to congratulate One Stop for the swift action it took to protect colleagues and customers, and to help feed local communities, despite the disruption caused by the unprecedented lockdown.

The retailer’s decision to provide items such as POS, screens, visors and hand sanitiser at no extra cost was particularly welcomed. Franchisees also praised the decision to provide daily communications, keeping them updated with changes and informing them of the latest government advice.

Aman Uppal, of One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry, commented: “We’ve had really great communications and advice from One Stop Franchise over the past few weeks, including regular updates regarding stock availability.”

BRITS BUY BRITISH DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

New research shows that 65%of consumers are much morelikely to buy British produce tosupport the country’s farmersduring the coronavirus crisisand 55% prefer to buy Britishcheese instead of French orItalian. The findings are fromthe Stilton Cheese MakersAssociation.

TAX RECEIPTS PLUNGE AMID LOCKDOWN

New figures show that HMRC’stax receipts have plunged£31bn year on year and £47bnwhen looking at the threemonths to 31 May, highlightingthe mountainous challengenow faced to stabilise thecountry’s finances.

SHOPPING LANDSCAPE CHANGES DURING CRISIS

Specialist food stores, suchas butchers and fishmongers,have been most popular withyounger shoppers (18-24-yearolds)during lockdown, saysnew research from IGD. Olderage groups (65+) relied moreon online services.

CUSTOMER TEMPERATURE SCREENING

As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased across the country, the use of thermal imaging to detect customers who have abnormal temperatures may become more prevalent.

Test Meter Group’s FOTRIC 226B imager uses AI face detection to automatically check an individual’s temperature.

If the imager detects an abnormal temperature, it emits an automatic alert, which allows for a rapid on-site identification and prevention of the person from entering the premises.

Find out further information here.