Government reveals rules for shopping

The county’s biggest shopping centre has taken the decision to “largely close”, with only essential shops remaining open. Bluewater issued an announcement on its Facebook page shortly before 5pm on Tuesday, telling customers which shops would stay open during the pandemic.

A spokesman said essential shops remain open: Marks and Spencer Food Hall, Boots including their pharmacy, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett. The Entertainer toy shops announced plans to close its stores across the county before the official lockdown because it says it was “putting the welfare of its employees and customers ahead of profits”.

All stores, including branches at Bluewater, Maidstone, Chatham, Ashford, Dover and Orpington closed at 5pm Monday.

Its website is offering thousands of boredom busting games, crafts and toys for children stuck at home.

The government has revealed the rules around how people should shop and which stores are allowed to open during the crisis.

Retail and public premises which remain open must ensure a distance of two metres between customers and shop assistants and allow people to enter a shop only in small groups.

The following are allowed to remain open: supermarkets and other food shops, health shops, pharmacies including non-dispensing pharmacies, petrol stations, home and hardware shops, laundrettes and dry cleaners, bicycle shops, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, Post Offices, banks.

Online retail is “still open and encouraged” and postal and delivery services will run as normal.