Convenience store colleagues included in ‘key worker’ definition

The government has clarified that convenience store colleagues will be included in the definition of key worker.

The status will support store colleagues in light of school closures from today (20 March). The schools will be closed until further notice for all except children of key workers – those who are critical to the COVID-19 response – and vulnerable children.

A guidance issued yesterday includes those involved in production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food in the key workers list, along with other other necessary goods like hygienic and veterinary medicines.

“We are pleased that the Government has included food retail colleagues in the definition of key worker,” commented James Lowman, ACS chief executive.

“Convenience stores are a lifeline for local people, providing essential goods in communities across Britain to those who can’t go to larger stores, or can’t get products elsewhere. The reassurance of the key worker status ensures that they can keep providing that service.”

Figures from the 2019 Local Shop Report show that there are currently around 405,000 people working in the convenience sector.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has also welcomed the inclusion of grocery store workers in the list.

“Today’s publication of the key worker list is welcome, allowing the identified workers full access to any skeleton childcare provisions which are put in place. It is vital that these workers are able to continue delivering crucial services without suffering any financial detriment,” Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said.