John Lewis suspends click and collect and Waitrose bans shoppers without masks

JOHN Lewis has suspended its click and collect service amid fears queues to collect orders are helping to spread the coronavirus.

It comes as ministers consider banning non-essential shops from offering the service during England’s third national lockdown.

John Lewis is the first major retailer to suspend its click and collect service Credit: AFP or licensors

Orders placed online after the close of businesses today will only be available for delivery.

If you’re already placed and order, you will be able to collect it from the designated branch like planned.

John Lewis said it was “conscious of the increased need to remove reasons for non essential travel” and help encourage the public to stay at home.

It’s partner grocery store Waitrose has also become the latest supermarket to announce a ban on customers entering shops without a face mask.

Who is exempt from wearing a face mask?

THE following groups of people don’t need to wear a face mask when in a public place:

This includes:

Children under the age of 11
People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or disability
Where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
Police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public.

Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have already said they will tighten rules on face coverings in stores.

Andrew Murphy, Executive Director, Operations said: “We are acutely aware that the country is at a critical point in the pandemic and are constantly thinking about how best the Partnership and our Partners can play our part in limiting the spread and impact of the virus”.

“We’ve listened carefully to the clear change in tone and emphasis of the views and information shared by the UK’s governments in recent days.

“While we recognise that the detail of formal guidance has not changed, we feel it is right for us – and in the best interests of our Partners and customers – to take proactive steps to further enhance our covid-security and related operational policies.

“By insisting on the wearing of face coverings, over and above the social distancing measures we already have in place, we aim to make our shops even safer for customers.”

More to follow…

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