// Asda & M&S present new measures to keep colleagues and customers safe

// Asda has made hand sanitiser available in stores while M&S closed 31 clothing & home outlets

Asda and Marks & Spencer have introduced new in-store initiatives in a bid to protect staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The initiatives include limiting the number of customers allowed to enter stores at any one time and markers on the floor to ensure social distancing measures.

Big 4 grocer Asda said it will make hand sanitiser available in stores, and has requested shoppers make cashless payments whenever possible.

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Asda also became the latest retailer to install Perspex screens to minimise contact between employees and customers, with Aldi, Morrisons and Lidl all undertaking this initiative in recent days.

”We’re working hard to protect you and our colleagues – please help us to do so by following the guidelines in place,” Asda chief executive Roger Burnley said.

“My colleagues in our stores are working under incredible pressure to serve you – and I am hugely grateful to them for their efforts. Please be kind to them when you visit us – we’re all in this together.”

Meanwhile, M&S has also put greeters at the front of its shops, put two-metre distance markers on floors, and built time into staff shifts to allow them to wash their hands every half hour.

The retailer also requested for customers not to scan their Sparks loyalty cards for the time being, and has advised them to use the “Mobile, Pay, Go” service where it’s available.

On Tuesday, M&S closed 31 outlets selling clothing and home following the government’s advice to shut down all non-essential services.

Its standalone Simply Food stores and Food Halls within larger M&S stores will remain open.

M&S has also displayed posters to remind customers how to keep themselves and colleagues well when they shop.

The retailer said it is cleaning trolleys, baskets, screens and all touch points every hour and deep cleaning them every night.

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