‘Covid secure’ version of hygiene rating stickers could be priceless for shops: The Yorkshire Post says

But while Covid-19 appears to be on the retreat compared to the peak of the pandemic in the UK, there can be little blame attached to those people who are still keen to avoid the shops for now, not least when social distancing measures mean lengthy queues are likely outside stores and the concept of leisurely browsing or window-shopping is effectively ruled out.

The challenge now for the retail industry, supported by local authorities, is to convince customers it is safe to return to their stores - and there could well be something to learn from the food hygiene rating system in providing easily understandable reassurance to prospective visitors.

In England, bars, restaurants and takeaways have no obligation to display their hygiene ratings sticker showing their score of up to a maximum of five but those that do so comfort consumers about their standards, while businesses that don’t are making a telling statement of their own by implication.

The Government has already created ‘Staying Covid-19 Secure in 2020’ posters for businesses of all kinds which show they have followed the guidance on making their premises safer by taking measures like conducting a risk assessment and implementing cleaning, hygiene and handwashing procedures.

Putting the posters on display will not be a magic formula that will restore business takings to pre-Covid levels but shop staff have been working incredibly hard to adjust to the new reality we find ourselves in.

These signs will act as a simple - and hopefully effective - reminder that their premises are as safe as possible to enter.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor