Leicestershire is in lockdown as the UK’s battle against coronavirus continues.
But, with infection rates rising to high levels once again, new restrictions have been put in place, to keep the public safe.
Of course, with so many changes to the rules over the past few months, it can get quite confusing to remember which restrictions are currently in play.
One of the more confusing aspects of the newest lockdown surrounds shopping.
At this time, only essential in-store shopping is allowed. But what exactly does that mean?
Non-essential shops are currently closed, and people across Leicester, and the rest of the UK must stay at home, unless traveling to work (if they cannot work from home), for exercise, or for purchasing essentials.
However, this leaves many people unsure if they can pick up a few non-essential extra items when they take a trip to the shops.
In the last lockdown of 2020, some supermarkets, including Tesco, closed off certain isles, which only stocked non-essential products.
But, according to ChronicleLive, this time around, the store confirmed that non-food aisles are remaining open.
It says it is following current guidance which states that, in England, non-essential items can continue to be sold in a ‘mixed retail’ setting where food and other essential items are on sale.
Asda and Morrisons have confirmed the same, meaning that the likes of homewares and clothing remain on sale.
Tesco is currently running a baby product sale both in-store and online while it reminds customers that they should only travel to their local store if they are making purchases on essential items.
Marks and Spencer, whose food stores and those selling a combination of food and non-food products remain open in lockdown, also says that the likes of clothing still will be available to shoppers to buy alongside their essential shopping.
The Government first tried to clarify rules under its Tier 4 restrictions, saying that a supermarket was not required to cordon off, for instance, aisles selling homeware.
But separate or distinct business within an essential retailer – such as an electronics concession in a supermarket or a bookshop in a garden centre – would have to close, as would for example a homeware section on a separate floor of a food shop.
Many people during lockdown are of course turning to online shopping and supermarkets are offering a wide range of delivery and click and collect options.
Meanwhile in-store Covid-19 security measures include one-way systems, social distancing and protective screens.
Several stores now operate a ‘traffic light’ entry system and Asda recently tried out a new virtual queuing app, Qudini, which allows customers to wait in their cars, if the store is busy, until a slot becomes available.
