Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
COVER STORY
Customers need to wear face masks from Friday
Customers at shops in Airdrie and Coatbridge will need face coverings from this Friday as part of the latest step in easing the coronavirus lockdown.
The use of face coverings is to be mandatory, in line with the existing position for public transport and at the area’s hospitals – with exemptions being made for children aged under five and for people with particular health conditions.
It comes after a wider range of retailers reopened their doors last week, and local businesses hope the move will benefit both customers and staff alike.
The latest easing of the restrictions aiming to prevent the spread of Covid-19 included Monday’s reopening of beer gardens and pavement cafes, while the area’s pubs and restaurants are starting to consider how they might operate in the future to maintain physical distancing and to keep staff and customers safe.
Face coverings will become a familiar sight in Airdrie and Coatbridge town centres as their use becomes mandatory in shops from Friday.
The announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among this week’s developments relating to coronavirus restrictions – which also include Monday’s reopening of outdoor cafes and beer gardens, relaxation of the five-mile travel rule and news that under-12s no longer have to physically distance outside, meaning that many children were able to hug grandparents for the first time since March.
Shop owners supported the decision that customers – with the exception of children or those with certain medical conditions – should now wear masks while in stores.
The same rule has been in place for passengers on public transport for nearly three weeks, and NHS Lanarkshire also announced last week that face coverings will also be required for all those entering its hospitals.
Angie Houston owns Airdrie childrenswear store Puddleducks, which reopened its doors for the first time in 14 weeks when non-essential retail made its return last week.
She welcomed the news: “In my experience, very few people have been wearing face masks, and I think making them mandatory will help make it easier to suggest that people use them.
“They’re for the protection of other people so it’s respectful of staff and other customers if people wear them – we wear masks when we’re on the shop floor with people, respecting customers’ health and wellbeing.
“Although our shop may be the only one people go to in a day and we’re the only people they come into contact with, we’re seeing a lot of different customers throughout the day.
“I think so far people have been unsure and maybe felt a bit foolish to be in a minority wearing a mask, and they don’t want to seem to be over-reacting.
“We already have signs up and have paper masks to give to people if needed.
This announcement is really welcome and gives clarity.”
Gerry O’Connor runs wellknown Coatbridge newsagent The Candy Store – known as Tommy Tango’s – which has been open to sell groceries and essentials throughout the past four months.
He said: “So far it’s split down the middle. There are people who always wear face coverings and people who don’t.
“Most are in and out of our shop in a few minutes, rather than being at the supermarket or elsewhere for a longer period. It’s hard and not for us to police it, but I think people will be sensible. We have masks in the shop so they’re available for people as they get used to it from this week.”
Meanwhile, hospitality businesses across Monklands are assessing how they could potentially reopen in the next phase of restrictions being eased – which may include reducing physical distancing to one metre with further mitigations including improved ventilation, screens and seating plans.
Scott Rae, owner of the West End Bar in Airdrie, said: “We are desperate to get up and running again and are missing all our regulars, and the customers are excited about getting back.
“We’re working hard to make the bar Covid-secure for our staff and customers – our measures include Plexiglas screens around the bar area, hand sanitising stations, prominent hygiene and social distancing notices, and customers being encouraged to use the order-and-pay app or use contactless.
“Our tables have been set up two metres apart and with screens. This week we’re reconfiguring in line with the change from two- metre distancing to one metre with mitigation, and we’re still waiting on further clarification on the government guidelines as to exactly how we’re going to operate.”
Scott added: “During lockdown we’ve provided a home delivery service which has been so successful that we’re hoping to continue once we reopen.”