John Lewis suspends click and collect in move to boost Covid safety measures

The firm added that its in-home services and installations teams will now carry out a significantly reduced range of activities in customers’ homes, pausing services which are not essential to the health and wellbeing of customers and their families.  

All existing bookings will be honoured where the customer still wishes to proceed.

At Waitrose, which is classified as an ‘essential’ retailer and allowed to stay open during the latest lockdown, customers must wear a face covering (unless medically exempt or under the required age).  

Wherever possible, only one member of each household is permitted to shop.  

Those working in Waitrose shops will now be required to wear face coverings when behind protective perspex screens and in back of house areas.

 A number of grocers have recently said they will deny entry to shoppers who do not wear face masks unless they are medically exempt.

Andrew Murphy, executive director, operations, said: “We are acutely aware that the country is at a critical point in the pandemic and are constantly thinking about how best the partnership and our partners can play our part in limiting the spread and impact of the virus”.

He added: “We’ve listened carefully to the clear change in tone and emphasis of the views and information shared by the UK’s governments in recent days. While we recognise that the detail of formal guidance has not changed, we feel it is right for us - and in the best interests of our partners and customers - to take proactive steps to further enhance our covid-security and related operational policies.”