 High streets re-opening - shop safely in the borough
Businesses in the borough are preparing to welcome customers back safely from Monday 15 June, under the new government guidelines for non-essential shops. This includes Havant's Meridian Shopping Centre.
The council, which owns the centre, has been working closely with the centre's manager and its agents who have been in regular contact with the shops and other tenants to gear up for a safe return for everyone.
Before you leave home
If you have any symptoms of coronavirus, do not go shopping. You must self-isolate at home for seven days.
If you are symptom-free then shop alone if you can, this will make social distancing easier for everyone.
If possible, bring hand sanitiser and a face covering with you.
Take a contactless card or device with you to pay, if you can.
 Public Health England advises to keep two metres away from others not in your household or support bubble at all times.
If a shop has a one-way system, stick to it. This may mean that you have to wait for someone to finish browsing.
 The government advises wearing a face covering in any situation where social distancing isn’t possible, which may be the case when out shopping.
Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing and may not protect you from getting coronavirus. However, they may provide protection for others if you are infected but not showing symptoms.
If you are taking public transport to go shopping, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering when doing so from Monday 15 June.
It’s important to wear and store your face covering properly - make sure you wash or sanitise your hands before putting it on and after taking it off. Avoid touching your face and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you wash them.
 Look out for others
It’s still important to continue looking out for others.
This could mean offering to pick items up for others if you choose to go out shopping or respecting social distancing when you’re out.
Things aren’t the same as they were before the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing and other safety measures might mean that things take longer. There might be different procedures in shops, such as different entrances and exits or an unfamiliar layout.
Everyone is adjusting, including the staff in the shops, so please be patient with others.
Full guidance on how to stay safe can be found here.
The BBC has produced a useful video about how to shop safely. To watch click here.
If you received an NHS letter and if you have registered as shielding, you may have received a weekly food parcel. This will contain enough food for one adult for one week.
If you want to cancel this, do one of the following:
- Refuse the parcel when it is delivered, this will then cancel it and remove you from the government distribution list
- Visit GOV.UK where you registered as shielded, and the question 'Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?'. You previously answered "No" to this question, please now reply with "Yes". You will then be removed from the government distribution list
- Call 0800 028 8327 and make sure you have your NHS number (this will be on the top of your NHS letter). This is an automated phone line and you will need to follow the instructions. You will be asked the question 'Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?'. You previously answered "No" to this question, please now reply as "Yes". You will then be removed from the government distribution list
Please note that deregistering from the food parcels will not cause you to lose your priority status slot for supermarket delivery.
For more help and information visit www.havant.gov.uk
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