ON MONDAY, shops in Salisbury are set to reopen as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease, but many are wondering what the rules will be for shoppers.

As part of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, non-essential shops will be allowed to open their doors to customers on April 12 after months of being shut.

Pubs, cafes, restaurants and more will be allowed to reopen, but must serve food and drink outdoors.

At Cross Keys Shopping Centre, Queen Street, there will be guidance in place to help keep shoppers safe from coronavirus.

But what are these rules and what can you do keep yourself and others safe?

Guidance for shoppers 

To make sure social distancing works, Cross Keys may need to limit the number of people in the centre at any one time, according to the shopping centre's website.

It stresses: "You may have to queue to enter Cross Keys and individual retailers at busy times."

Customers are also being reminded to wear a face covering at all times within the shopping centre and stores, unless they are exempt.

According to the Government, those who may not be able to wear a face mask could include:

  • Children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • Where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
  • To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
  • Police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public

Are there other rules?

Yes, Cross Keys recommends everyone maintains social distancing and people should shop alone where possible.

Customers should also try and "use card payments only when visiting retailers", according to the shopping centre's website.

Essential retailers will also continue to trade, the site stresses.

What else has the shopping centre announced?

On behalf of Cross Keys Shopping Centre, Robert Brown, said the Government's roadmap out of lockdown is the "light at the end of the tunnel" businesses were hoping for after they were forced to close in January.

He said: "We’re extremely proud of the way Cross Keys retailers have adapted their businesses and demonstrated resilience throughout the last year offering customers click and collect, delivery and online sales options. "It is fantastic to be able to report that the opening of Clearway Pets store during lockdown has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the Salisbury community and further shows confidence for essential niche retail offerings in the heart of Salisbury."

He added customers will have lots to look forward to when they return on Monday and should be able to shop with confidence.

He explained: "There’s plenty to get excited about with new art commissions available to view at Gallery 21, hair appointments resuming at Muse Hairdressing, eagerly awaited shopping trips to TK Maxx, Cool-Merch, Ryman, Warhammer and Scent&Colour, not to mention alfresco dining on a walk-in basis at Wildwood. "Safety naturally continues to be our first priority, but we can’t wait to welcome shoppers back to Cross Keys with confidence, supporting and promoting retailers in every way we can, as they recover like all of us from the impacts of COVID-19."