Retailers are aiming to make the health of customers and staff a priority, as many of the Island’s shops prepare to open next week.
Government has announced further measures to ease the lockdown, with Chief Minister Howard Quayle confirming non-essential shops ‘have the opportunity’ to resume trading from Monday, 18 May.
It comes eight weeks after they were forced to close their doors as restrictions were brought in to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Similar to the guidelines adopted at essential shops such as supermarkets, many stores will have to observe social distancing.
According to government figures there are around 4,000 people who work in retail, 2,000 of which come from within the ‘non-essential’ sector.
The Department for Enterprise, which has been responsible for issuing support grants to 3,200 businesses, is advising shoppers to limit trips to 15 minutes.
This, it says, will avoid ‘prolonged contact with others.’
While in each store, customers are also asked to only shop for essentials and to touch items they intend to buy.
And with many shops expected to adopt queue systems, the department is calling for those on the high street to be patient.
