Kinson: social distancing in the fruit and veg aisle

Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 4 Apr 2020

A trip to the supermarket was a very different experience during the spring of 2020, when the global coronavirus pandemic led to a 'lockdown', with only essential journeys allowed and social distancing being required – this means that one must keep 2m apart from other people. Tesco, along with all retail outlets that were allowed to remain open during the pandemic, took reasonable measures to ensure that its staff and customers adhere to social distancing. Numbers of shoppers in the store at any one time were restricted, and the aisles and outside areas marked with tape at 2m intervals. Here, we have just entered the store (Image) and are in the fresh veg aisle. As can be seen here, the tape indicates the 2m intervals and the second blue sign shows that the aisle has been made a one-way street so that shoppers will not have to pass in each direction. The whole situation seemed to be being taken seriously and in good spirits by staff and customers alike. The store was well stocked, at 4:50 in the afternoon, a far cry from the shortages of everyday goods caused by panic buying in the last couple of weeks. There were no eggs or pasta, but other goods that were difficult to find last week – milk, bread, and particularly toilet rolls – were readily available today. See Image for a view of our entry into the store just now, and Image for the wait for a checkout.

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