Coronavirus: Disbelief at lack of social distancing in Peterborough as NHS workers 'left waiting for tills to open'

Shoppers at Serpentine Green in Tesco were photographed bunched in a tight space together earlier today (Sunday), while footballers were also seen playing on an astroturf pitch at Bushfield in Orton Goldhay.

The photo in Serpentine Green has since been shared widely and sparked a huge reaction.

The person who took the photo, who did not wish to be named, was shopping at the Hampton store when it opened at 9am exclusively for NHS workers for the first hour.

However, under the law trading is not allowed until 10am, meaning people were left unable to pay for their shopping.

He said: "I honestly think Tesco had the best intentions. They opened their doors at 9am for NHS staff. My partner works at the city hospital and we got there for as soon as the doors opened.

"But they did not open the tills until 10am and we had finished our shopping at 9.20. We were third or fourth in the queue. We didn't know it would be like that, but the question we faced was whether to leave the shopping and go or wait.

"The people on the tills were great, but the management could have looked at the people out there and thought about opening the tills to get people moving.

"They thanked the NHS staff over the tannoy so they had the right intentions, but did not execute it right.

"I probably would not go back between 9 and 10 again unless they changed it."

He said the photo was taken at around 9.35am, with queues stretching further back than shown in the photo.

Tesco said it had introduced social distancing measures around its checkout and had queuing barriers in large stores, but would review further measures to take.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The priority hour is a way to support NHS workers get access to the things they need and to say thank you for all they are doing. We are trying hard to do the right thing and while feedback on this morning has been positive, we also recognise that many stores were still very busy.

"We’re going to take learnings from today and continue to offer these priority shopping times to NHS workers. We need customers to help us by giving NHS workers priority during this hour and so we ask all other customers to shop during the usual Sunday opening hours."

Boris Johnson had urged social distancing with people being asked to avoid seeing their mums on Mother's Day, stating: "If your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus, or Covid-19. We cannot disguise or sugar-coat the threat."

He said the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed if people ignore social distancing. This includes:

. Avoiding contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus

. Avoiding non-essential use of public transport where possible

. Working from home where possible

. Avoiding large and small gatherings in public spaces

. Avoiding gatherings with friends and family.

The full guidelines can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults.

The photo of the footballers playing was taken at 1pm on Saturday on the astroturf pitch at Bushfield, Orton Goldhay.

Orton Waterville city councillor Julie Howell told the Peterborough Telegraph: "From the photos I've seen, from over-crowding in supermarkets to people playing football on local pitches, it's clear that too many of us still don't understand what is being asked of us.

"If we are to avoid a very dangerous escalation in the number of cases of coronavirus in the UK we've got to get to grips with how to apply the guidance to our own lives. For most of us that means staying at home and not leaving home for any reason other than to get food, walk the dog or genuine emergencies.

"If we see others when we're out we need to keep at least two metres away from them. This virus is a killer. Forget about your age or level of fitness.

"If you become infected you will spread it to others and the consequences are very frightening. Please stay indoors until the Government says this is under control."

The problem of people ignoring social distancing is not just happening in Peterborough, with people heading to the seaside and other locations in groups despite the constant warnings.

The latest coronavirus articles can be found at: https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/health/coronavirus.

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