Tesco's CEO, Jason Tarry has published a message to customers, giving an update on the supermarket chain's Covid safety measures.
He said, 'Throughout the pandemic, we’ve focused on making sure everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment. As government guidance on COVID-19 continues to change, I wanted to share an update on the safety measures in our stores.
'While the easing of restrictions means that some safety measures will no longer be a legal requirement, we’ve listened to customers and our colleagues, and we know a lot of people remain cautious. In line with the government advice to act carefully, we feel it’s important to continue with certain measures to be on the safe side.'
Tarry set put what Tesco is doing to make sure everyone feels as safe as possible in the stores:
1. Please keep wearing a face covering in our stores if you can
Although the legal requirement to wear a face covering in England ends on 19 July, the government expects and recommends that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces. So we’re encouraging our colleagues and you, our customers, to continue wearing face coverings if you can.
For our customers and colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings remain mandatory unless exempt, as set out in government guidance.
2. We’re keeping enhanced hygiene, cleaning and safety measures in place
As before, you’ll find sanitiser and wipes at the store entrance. The screens at the checkout are staying as well. We’re keeping the traffic light system in place too, to help monitor the flow of customers and prevent overcrowding.
3. Quieter hour
We’re continuing to set time aside for customers who need or want a quieter shopping experience, to make sure that everyone can shop safely. Please check our store locator for your local store’s hours.
4. Shopping online>/b>
If you’re shopping online, our colleagues are happy to keep a safe distance when they deliver your shopping and they will always do so if you’re self-isolating. If that’s the case, please tell your driver or let us know in the delivery notes. All our drivers will continue to sanitise their hands and equipment regularly too.
We continue to offer priority slots for vulnerable customers. And if you’re vulnerable, disabled or elderly, you can also ask our drivers to carry your shopping into your home for you, as long as you aren’t self-isolating.
5. Supporting communities
As we have throughout the pandemic, we’re providing support for local communities tackling COVID-19, and helping children and families across the UK. A big thank you to everyone who donated to our Summer Food Collection in our larger stores this weekend; the collection points in our Express stores remain open until 28 August. To help as many people as possible, we’ll be topping up all your donations by an extra 20%.
Tarry added, 'From today, we’re also launching a new campaign called Buy One to Help a Child, which aims to donate up to three million meals to help children living in food insecurity. Every time you buy a piece of fresh fruit or veg in one of our stores or online between 19 July and 8 August, we’ll donate to FareShare to provide meals for children who need them most.
'We’re really grateful for your support and everything you’ve been doing to help keep our colleagues and other customers safe. Our colleagues are here to help and are still working very hard in difficult circumstances, so please continue to be kind, patient and respectful.'