BOOTS has banned customers from entering some of its stores to browse in a move to enforce social distancing rules.
At some of the chemist chain’s shops, customers must now say what they intend to buy before coming in.
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And if it’s an essential item like medicine, a staff member will find the product for you so you can go straight to the till to pay.
Earlier in March, the government told Brits to only leave their houses to buy essential food and health items.
It’s previously also said Brits should stay two metres away from people outside of their household.
As a result, Boots has now started cordoning off areas of the shop floor so it can prioritise the sale of essential medicines, prescription and toiletry items.
But if a customer wants to pick up other products from its self-service area, they should be able to do so in a majority of cases, Boots said.
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The retailer couldn’t confirm how many stores currently use the new policies, as it’s decided case by case depending on the size and staff resources available.
The change comes as the chain has been accused of “putting profit before the safety and wellbeing of staff”.
One Twitter user wrote a few days ago: “@BootsUK shame on you for putting profit before the safety and wellbeing of staff and customers.
“Why are you still selling nonsense like perfume and hair dye?”
While another added: “Hey @BootsUK as a parent, whose daughter works for you – SORT IT OUT – start protecting your staff please.”
A spokesperson for Boots told The Sun: “We have been doing everything we can to keep our stores open, ensuring all communities have access to a pharmacy and customers can get the essentials that they need.
“We are prioritising the sale of essential medicines, prescription and toiletry items both in store and online.
“Our premium beauty counters are now not staffed, however if a customer wishes to pick up some additional products from our self-service area whilst in the store, then they should normally be able to do so.”
Boots recently also introduced the use of equipment such as perspex screens and visors to protect staff and customers alike.
Meanwhile, rival Superdrug has closed its perfume counters, removed testers from stores and will not be replenishing its cosmetic or fragrance products.
Instead, it’ll be focusing on products that are deemed essential including healthcare items and medicines.
Earlier this week, Boots rolled out bundles of baby, healthcare and toiletry items on its website to make it easier for shoppers to get hold of essential products.
The pharmacy chain is also donating 200,000 toiletries to NHS workers and vulnerable people.
Last weekend, thousands of Boots shoppers were held in queue for more than an hour to get onto its website.
