Lewisham’s director for public health and mayor have written to supermarkets urging them to enforce Covid-19 rules.  

The latest figures show that the infection rate in Lewisham was 1,083 out of 100,000 people.

In the letter they urged store managers to take their responsibilities seriously.  

They wrote: “Lewisham’s Covid-19 infection rates are high. Hospitals are under significant pressure as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is 35 per cent higher than during the April peak.  

“Lewisham residents are being asked to follow the national guidance to stay at home wherever possible, but naturally many will need to leave their home to visit supermarkets, grocery stores and other essential shops.  

“Over the last year, we recognise the enormous efforts you have taken in response to the pandemic, putting in place measures to ensure shops are Covid-secure and safe for customers.  

“In recent weeks, we know that some Lewisham shops may have been impacted by cases of Covid-19 which clearly has an impact on staff, and may affect customers as well.  

“It is critical – at a time when Covid-19 is spreading rapidly in our borough – that essential shops play a central role in encouraging the right behaviours.  

“Please help Lewisham Council, the police and all those working tirelessly in the NHS by strictly enforcing these rules in your shop.” 

Mayor Damien Egan and Dr Catherine Mbema asked store managers to: 

  • Request all staff to wear a face covering and require customers to wear a face covering for the whole time they are in the shop (unless exempt).  
  • Staff should have access at all times to hand sanitiser and cleaning equipment for any machinery they may be using, for example a till.  
  • If on the shop floor, staff need adequate protection so that they are able to maintain social distance from customers at all times.  
  •  Ensure all customers are maintaining social distancing rules at all times when entering, leaving and in the shop including closely monitoring the capacity indoors by introducing a carefully managed queuing system. 
  • Look out for Covid-19 symptoms in your staff. Anyone who develops coronavirus symptoms, must go home, stay at home to self-isolate and get a test. 

They wrote: “Everyone has an individual responsibility to do this to protect ourselves; our family, friends and colleagues; and the most vulnerable in our community.  

“I urge you to take your responsibilities seriously.  

“Not only will this protect Lewisham’s residents – your customers – and all those partners who are working so hard in the fight against Covid-19, but it will protect your own workforce.” 

The letter explains that people with no symptoms can now get rapid Covid-19 tests at the Civic Suite in Catford.  

The tests are targeted at critical workers who are unable to work from home, such as those working in supermarkets.