Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Wales to legally require shops to make coronavirus risk assessment  

Welsh Government said it will strengthen legislation to ensure shops and workplaces carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment.

These risk assessments, it said, will be the starting point for implementing measures to minimise exposure to the virus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.


“Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change and I want to make clear in law this includes whenever the coronavirus alert levels change in Wales,” First Minister Mark Drakeford said.

The risk assessment will only be required by those who employ 5 or more people. The measure will involve considering issues such as adequate ventilation, hygiene, ensuring physical distancing and the use of PPE and face coverings.

“We are working closely with employers, trade unions, local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe,” Drakeford added.

Drakeford said the latest move, which follows a meeting with key retailers this week, will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take the measures - which many have already implemented - so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike.

“Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve,” he said.

Drakeford added that shoppers have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible, adding that the government will not tolerate any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities.

The new strain of the virus is moving quickly across Wales, with a firm foothold in North Wales, where cases of coronavirus are rising sharply.

Wales has entered a lockdown on 19 December, with restrictions expected to remain in place until the end of this month when a review will take place.

More for you

One of the UK’s largest van sales operations "Boosts" sales

BOOST's Jack Taylor (L) and Martin Rice of Green Field Marketing

One of the UK’s largest van sales operations "Boosts" sales

Green Field Marketing Solutions have completed what is said to be “one of the UK’s biggest ever van sales operations”, driving distribution and increasing on-shelf space at convenience stores throughout GB for leading challenger brand, BOOST.

The operation involved a team of thirty, a fleet of 25 vans and a committed squad of professionals using the latest technology, explained Martin Rice, Operations Director, Green Field Marketing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners announces £42.3m investment into Wakefield factory
Image by REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo/File Photo

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners announces £42.3m investment into Wakefield factory

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the world’s largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola, has announced a planned investment of £42.3m for a new Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS) warehouse at its site in Wakefield, Europe’s largest soft drinks plant by volume.

The new ASRS will take two and a half years to build. To maximise space, it will stand at 38 metres tall and will increase Wakefield’s warehouse capacity, allowing it to hold and move an additional 29,500 pallets on top of its current capacity of 29,000 pallets. It will also deliver a reduction of 18,500 vehicle journeys per year from the road, equating to 441,000 km per year.

Keep ReadingShow less
East of England Co-op forecourts adopt EDGEPoS

East of England Co-op forecourts adopt EDGEPoS

East of England Co-op has completed its roll out of EDGEPoS, the award-winning global software system from Henderson Technology, at five forecourt sites.

Located in Felixstowe, Colchester, Brightlingsea, Ipswich and Framlingham, EDGEPoS has been installed in two tills per site, and fully integrated to receive fuel sales.

Keep ReadingShow less
MPs urged to reject 'divisive' generational tobacco ban
iStock image

MPs urged to reject 'divisive' generational tobacco ban

Campaigners have urged MPs to reject plans to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to future generations of adults.

Ahead of the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on Tuesday (26), the smokers’ rights group Forest says the proposal is “unnecessarily divisive” and is not supported by the majority of the public.

Keep ReadingShow less
Allan Leighton returns to Asda to lead revival plan

Allan Leighton ( Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Allan Leighton returns to Asda to lead revival plan

Supermarket Asda has hired its former Chief Executive Allan Leighton as its new Chairman to support efforts to revive the business after a difficult few years.

Leighton, 71, will replace another retail veteran, Lord Stuart Rose, who has held the role since 2021. Lord Rose was recently tasked with kickstarting Asda’s turnaround strategy after co-owner Mohsin Issa stepped down from running the business in September. Reports said he was heavily involved in efforts to appoint Leighton and will leave the business once the new Chairman is settled into the role.

Keep ReadingShow less