The advice on social distancing measures applies to everyone. You need to minimise opportunities for the virus to spread by maintaining a distance of 1 metres between individuals. This advice applies to both inside the food business and in the external public areas where customers may need to queue. People should be reminded to wash their hands for 20 seconds and more frequently than normal.

The practical implementation of this advice will depend on the local circumstances. This may be best evaluated by the store manager, however a few general indicators may be relevant to the majority of retail outlets:

use additional signage to ask customers not to enter the shop if they have symptoms

regulate entry so that the premises do not become overcrowded

use floor markings inside the commercial spaces to facilitate compliance with the social distancing advice of 2 metres, particularly in the most crowded areas, such as serving counters and tills

use vertical signage to direct customers into lanes if feasible to facilitate movement within the premises while maintaining 2 metre distance

make regular announcements to remind customers to follow social distancing advice and clean their hands regularly

place plexiglass barriers at tills and counters if feasible, as an additional element of protection for workers and customers

encourage the use of contactless payments where possible, without disadvantaging older or vulnerable customers

provide additional pop-up handwashing stations or facilities if possible, providing soap, water and hand sanitiser

Further information on social distancing and adults who are at increased risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on GOV.UK.