A Lidl store has reopened three days after closing because of staff shortages caused by coronavirus.
The store on Middlesbrough’s Cargo Fleet Lane closed on Friday after workers tested positive for Covid-19. Staff were transferred from other branches so the store could open its doors again this morning.
Lidl has not said how many staff fell ill with the virus.
“All supermarkets are currently operating under exceptional circumstances, and the safety of our colleagues and customers is critical to us,” said a spokeswoman. “We have been in touch with those members of our team that have tested positive for Covid-19, to offer our support and wish them a speedy recovery.
“We fully understand this is a concerning and difficult time, not only for our own workforce but for the whole country. We have been closely following government advice throughout this period and have stringent measures in place across all of our business areas to protect colleagues and customers.
“Our teams are all playing a crucial role in continuing to feed communities across the country. It is therefore vitally important that we reopen the store as soon as we can, to ensure that households have access to the essential food and products they need.”
Like other supermarkets, Lidl has introduced a number of social distancing measures in stores during lockdown, including Perspex screens at checkouts and floor markers to keep shoppers two metres apart. The discounter completed the rollout of the checkout ‘sneeze screens’ to all 800 UK stores by 5 April.
It’s one of a number of supermarkets to also offer face masks to staff who wish to wear them, along with Asda, Aldi, Waitrose and Iceland.
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