Physical distancing concerns as Covid cases on the increase

The removal of a number of physical distancing measures at Campbeltown’s Tesco Metro store has caused one town resident to shop elsewhere unless she is able to visit at off-peak times.

Eva Graham has urged the store to return a member of staff to the shop’s doorway so the number of customers in store can be regulated, and replace footstep stickers which used to guide customers round the store in a certain direction.

Concerns

After sharing her concerns with the store’s management, Eva contacted local police, Councillor Donald Kelly and Trading Standards’ health and safety regulatory board, which carried out an inspection.

She said: ‘I was told there was nothing they could do. It’s the social distancing – or lack of it – that really upsets me. It makes me angry but it actually upsets me because there are elderly people going in there and it’s not fair.

‘I find it incomprehensible that they are not making sure people are socially distancing, especially with the surge in Covid cases that’s now coming to the fore. These measures worked at the beginning of the pandemic.

‘I went in at 7.30am one morning while hardly anyone else was there. It’s ridiculous having to get up to make yourself safe while you do your weekly shop.’

A Tesco spokesperson told the Courier: ‘The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority and we are closely following Scottish Government guidance. We constantly review the social distancing measures in our stores to ensure that they are in line with the latest guidance and that everyone can continue to maintain a safe distance. We ask that our customers continue to support us by following the measures in place.’

Concerns have also been raised about the arrival of workers from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland to work at ScottishPower Renewables’

Beinn an Tuirc Three Windfarm construction site in Kintyre.

Valerie Nimmo, a member of the Beinn an Tuirc Three Windfarm Community Liaison Group, said: ‘Donegal has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 in Ireland. The chief medical officers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have advised against all but necessary travel across the Irish border. Yet we have seen the arrival of a boatload of workers on Monday and again on Tuesday.

Contradiction

These workers are coming from separate family homes to live together in self catering accommodation, a complete contradiction of the Scotlandwide rules.’

A ScottishPower Renewables spokesperson said: ‘We’re confident we have suitably robust and effective working arrangements in place and continue to work with our partners to ensure the extensive arrangements we have in place are followed precisely, so our site remains Covid-secure.’