Hygiene measures for safe shopping

The North East’s biggest shopping centre has outlined how it will keep customers and staff safe when more outlets reopen next month.

Shops classed as selling essential items, such as food and housewares,havebeenallowed toremainopenduringthecoronavirus lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that non-essential outlets would be able to reopen from the middle of June – provided they comply with the Government’s rules to reduce the risk of infection.

Now intu, which owns Gateshead’s Metrocentre, has outlined how it will safely support a gradual reopening.

The plan to keep visitors and staff safe includes new social distancing and hygiene procedures and more support to help brands safely reopen their stores. It includes: – Limiting the number of people allowed into the centres at a time.

-Closingsomeparkingbays to limit the numbers of cars and visitors.

- One-way systems to walk around the centre highlighted with floor stickers.

- Trained staff to ensure visitorsstaysociallydistanced.

- Hand sanitiser stations at entrances and throughout the centre. - PPE for staff. Enhanced hygiene regimes that were introduced at the start of the outbreak will continue,withmoredeepcleaning of key areas and touchpoints such as escalators, toilets and keypads.

Matthew Roberts, chief executive of intu, said: “Experts from across intu have formed aspecialisttaskforcewhohave consideredeverythingweneed to run intu Metrocentre and our others centres as safely as possible.”