What's happening in your supermarket?

[Seat0B]

Last week I shopped in my local Woolworths in the south of Canberra. It's a few weeks since Woolworths made an announcement that they wanted all shoppers and staff to wear masks. I can confirm that on my visit that day, the sum total of people in the shop wearing masks was - zero.
People at the check out lines were diligently standing on the marked social distancing spots, and the same when waiting at the deli. But everywhere else, the social distancing was not happening. People chatting in the aisles, others trying to get past. People standing in front of the yoghurt having long phone calls, causing a blockage, which eventually someone broke by just pushing past. Staff member collecting on-line order items both blocking access and then pushing past customers.

No trolley wipes available - this is a semi-regular position. There was hand sanitiser on this occasion, but that's pretty hit and miss.

And do not even mention the self check outs. I shop here frequently and on an irregular pattern of day/time and I have NEVER seen them being cleaned - ever. Also they do not provide wipes near the self check outs so you could self-clean. There's another reason (aside from keeping people in jobs) to avoid the self check outs.

I know that the ACT is not really a COVID hot spot, but I feel like the compliance fatigue that the media have been mentioning is pretty evident at my local - which could lead to a quick spread if there was a case.

Local Aldi is much better on trolley wipes and hand san and does not have self-check out or on-line ordering, so I might be venturing there more often in the future.

Just wondering what others are seeing at their supermarkets.

 

[jb747]

Well, Wodonga is, of course, within Victoria, so the law says we have to wear masks. But, everyone does (well, 99% anyway), and keeping a bit of distance seems to be something that is generally attempted, though the success rate might vary. All trolleys and baskets are being cleaned by the staff before being given to customers. And there's wipes everywhere. This level of general care isn't an issue.

On the other hand, there is a lot of resentment about the NSW border closure, and the need, or otherwise.

 

[Seat0B]

Slightly off topic but in this article from the Canberra Times, Dr Norman Swan of Coronacast fame has praised ACT for "fierce" social distancing. Maybe that is how we have maintained no cases for over 50 days, despite our open border with NSW?

 

[Berlin]

Just now at Countdown (essentially a Woolies and belongs to them, just the Kiwi brand they are using over here) in Ponsonby (Central Auckland)- greeter at the entrance offering hand sanitizer and pointing customers to scan the covid app code to register. All team members in store wearing masks and likewise most of the customers. Trolley wipes readily available and regular announcements over the speaks advising of social distancing and hygiene measures.

Not the same consistently at all Countdowns, but for the most of it we're playing it quite safe over here and 95% of people seems to be "on board" with the measures, myself included.

 

[Pushka]

The other day I reported a customer to the Covid marshall. He was approaching his seventies, and was coughing with no cover up ahead of me. Then he coughed and sneezed into his hands. Wiped his nose with hands. Wiped hands on his pants. Revolting.

I immediately turned around and went in the opposite direction around the shop border as he made his way to the checkout. Of course reaching for his purchases to be registered using his hands. I felt bad for the checkout operator who then would unknowingly be touching them, likely his cash as well. Obviously? in SA likely just a cold etc but if the operator got sick, then she would go into isolation and covid test requirement would be needed. The marshall went straight over to the operator and asked her to go and wash up and disinfect and then that terminal was shut down for a bit and disinfected.

 

[chelzmalee]

Here in Central West NSW very few are wearing masks, and I have to keep telling people to stop standing so close to me at the checkout. People walk straight past the hand sanitiser that is at the door of basically every store. Reasons I still try to avoid the shops as much as possible.

We have had about 7 cases for the whole period of Covid19, but I don't think that gives us the right to be complacent... look how quickly it can take off again.

 

[Seat0B]

The other day I reported a customer to the Covid marshall. He was approaching his seventies, and was coughing with no cover up ahead of me. Then he coughed and sneezed into his hands. Wiped his nose with hands. Wiped hands on his pants. Revolting.

I immediately turned around and went in the opposite direction around the shop border as he made his way to the checkout. Of course reaching for his purchases to be registered using his hands. I felt bad for the checkout operator who then would unknowingly be touching them, likely his cash as well. Obviously? in SA likely just a cold etc but if the operator got sick, then she would go into isolation and covid test requirement would be needed. The marshall went straight over to the operator and asked her to go and wash up and disinfect and then that terminal was shut down for a bit and disinfected.

Well that’s great to hear - I mean the steps taken for hygiene, not the terrible behaviour of the customer. We don’t have COVID Marshalls in our supermarkets here in ACT.

 

[Pushka]

Well that’s great to hear - I mean the steps taken for hygiene, not the terrible behaviour of the customer. We don’t have COVID Marshalls in our supermarkets here in ACT.

Its a new thing that was inroduced here maybe two weeks ago? It is likely that all staff have completed the online test but some wear an orange vest with Marshall on it. It is compulsory in large venues like pubs, clubs, restaurants, supermarkets and malls. I thought it was silly at the time but can see how it might be a good thing now

 

[Himeno]

"COVID Marshall" was created as a SA legal requirement a few weeks ago.

COVID Marshals

www.covid-19.sa.gov.au

baukraft hosting - baukraft hosting

marshal.clickontraining.com.au

 

[Seat0B]

Back to my regular supermarket in the far south of Canberra today, and things have changed again.
Hand sanitiser and trolley wipes visibly on display everywhere.
Greeter at front of store wiping basket handles and encouraging use of hand sanitiser and trolley wipes.
No one, but no one, wearing a mask.
70% (give or take) adherence to social distancing in store.
100% adherence to social distancing in the queues.
Self-checkout supervisor making an effort to wipe down the screens between users.

Looking much better from my point of view. We can always add masks later if needed.