The 5-day Covid lockdown announced late yesterday by the Western Australian government does not require newsagents to close based on information released by the government.
While newsagencies can remain open, advice on safe retail followed in Victoria and New South Wales recently is recommended:
- Have hand sanitiser at the entrance to the shop and at the counter.
- Have all customer facing staff in masks.
- Acrylic screens at the counter are a big help.
- If you can trade outdoors at all, do so we know outside is safer.
- Check your in-store communication re social distancing.
- Maintain good cleaning practices using anti-bacterial wipes.
- Remind everyone working in the shop about hand washing.
- If you serve in an area where English is not a dominant first language, consider using the resources at this SBS for Covid information in many different languages are excellent.
- Consider this social media post: With Covid challenging again, it is important that we maintain a safe and healthy distance, wash our hands regularly, use hand sanitiser and stay home if we feel unwell or have any Covid symptom. here at the shop, we offer hand sanitiser, clean regularly and enforce social distancing. Let’s squash this thing, again.
Retail businesses like newsagencies are front line businesses. The safer you make it for your shoppers and the calmer your messaging the better you will trade through this.
10. Do not sell any item considered non essential.
As with lockdowns in other states, there is no stipulation that retailers that are permitted to open must monitor baskets and sell only essential items. There is no published essential items list.
When you are lockdown, everything is essential -vyou are in prison – so to speak.