Stay safe while supporting local shops

As pandemic restrictions continue to ease and businesses across Bridgend County Borough open their doors again, residents are being reminded of the need to stay safe while shopping.

Council Leader Huw David said: “We have made exceptional progress as a community in the face of the pandemic, but the coronavirus has not gone away, and we must not let our guard down.

“To minimise the risk of exposure to Covid-19, strict Welsh Government guidelines remain in place, and shoppers who are not exempt from doing so should wear a face covering before entering indoor premises.

“In order to allow social distancing to take place, some shops will have limits on how many people can be inside at the same time, so please respect this. Remember to use sanitiser dispensers to maintain strong hand hygiene, and to wipe down the handles of shopping trolleys before use.

“Some premises, such as restaurants, will have track and trace arrangements in place, so please complete these as accurately as possible. Many shops will also feature signage, markers to support social distancing and directional arrows, all of which must be observed.

“Local shops need our support now more than ever, so let’s make sure we do this carefully and safely.

“There are a number of campaigns running at the moment to remind people of the importance of this, such as the national #OhHelloBeauty campaign which was set up to promote hair and beauty salons after more than 7,000 went out of business during the pandemic.

“This campaign offers downloadable posters, social media assets and other resources to encourage people to shop safely, and you can find out more by visiting the British Beauty Council website.

“You can also download posters, stickers and other materials to help encourage people to shop safely from the council website.”