Morrisons, Lidl And Waitrose Erect Huge Screens To Protect Checkout Staff

Supermarkets across the UK have erected huge plastic screens to protect their checkout staff amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Morrisons, Lidl and Waitrose have all announced they will be introducing the plastic screens, which shield customer service assistants while they serve shoppers at the tills.

The protective screens will be rolled out at stores across the UK over the next few days, along with other measures to help protect supermarket staff while they work to feed the nation.

In Morrisons, the screens will feature messages, explaining to shoppers why the social distancing measure is important as well as directing customers to windows for transactions.

Many screens have already been erected in Morrisons, with the supermarket explaining staff are working "around the clock" to construct more.

"We want to do our bit to help customers and colleagues from being affected and to help everyone observe social distancing at our checkouts. This will help us to continue to play our full part in feeding the nation - it's more than our job," explained David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons.

Waitrose has also introduced the screens, as well as other measures to protect staff. These include limiting customer numbers, introducing 'safe distance' signs when queueing and 'two-metre marshals' to ensure social distancing measures are maintained.

"Marshals will help to manage queues outside shops and if necessary remind customers to respect the two metre social distancing rule. There will be signage and a coned area instructing customers to queue two metres apart outside shops," Waitrose explained.

Meanwhile, in Lidl, thousands of protective screens will be rolled out to stores this week.

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"The safety of our colleagues and customers continues to be a key priority for us, which is why all of our stores here in Great Britain will be fitted with protection screens at checkouts," said Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB.

"We hope that this additional safeguard will help to provide extra reassurance for those both working and shopping in our stores."

With the new measures being introduced imminently, we can expect to see the screens in action at some point this week.

Here's to keeping our vital supermarket staff safe in the ongoing crisis - after all, they are working tirelessly to feed the British public and we are eternally grateful.

Topics: News, lidl, Coronavirus, Morrisons

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine