Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the covid-19 security practices of supermarkets compared with the first lockdown; and what additional steps he plans to advise supermarkets to take to reduce the risk of infection of (a) staff and (b) customers.

The UK Government has regular meetings with the supermarkets, including at Ministerial level, on Covid-19 issues. This includes discussions about the measures that supermarkets have put in place to ensure a Covid-secure environment for their customers and their staff.

We will continue to work with the supermarkets to support these activities, including how best to manage capacity in stores and to encourage the use of face coverings. We welcome the recent announcements from a number of supermarkets on the steps they are taking to encourage customers to comply with Government rules and guidance. These emphasise the importance of solo shopping, maintaining social distancing and the need to wear a face covering unless medically exempt. It is the responsibility of all us to follow these instructions.

The Secretary of State also wrote to those working in our food and drink supply chains recently, thanking them for the work they have done throughout the pandemic.