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Debate breaks out over Woolworths' coronavirus checkout policy

Woolworths customers have raised concerns over one of the retailer’s policies adopted in an effort to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission between staff and customers.

The supermarket requests that shoppers pack their own bags once items have been scanned, except if they’re purchasing a new bag for 15 cents, in which case a staff member will pack it for them.

Some customers have argued that by touching items while scanning them, staff-to-customer contamination occurs and therefore it’s pointless that they refrain from packing it as well.

Others complained that while rushing to pack groceries into their own bags, they were unable to avoid the next customer coming closer than the 1.5 metre social distancing requirement.

Heated debate breaks out on Woolworths coronavirus policy - but who's in the right?
Changes to the Woolworths checkouts have been a source of frustration for customers amid the coronavirus outbreak. Source: GoogleMaps

This issue was highlighted by a customer in a post to the Woolworths Facebook page on Wednesday, claiming someone “squeezed” up next to them, trying to pack their groceries at the same time.

“No social distancing as she and I were literally hip-to-hip. No time to put my card away or my purse away, and I'm a quick packer,” they wrote.

“The glass perspex does mean that if two separate customers are trying to pack their groceries at the same time, you have to be almost touching each other to do so.”

A Woolworths employee responded saying the measures while not designed to inconvenience customers, were unavoidably going to “present a disruption to some”.

Another shopper wrote to the retailer saying they felt “very ashamed” at how the store was enforcing its new policies, arguing that staff not bagging groceries was “redundant”.

They also called on the 15 cents bag charge to be removed and accused the retailer of not providing options for elderly or vulnerable shoppers.

An employee responded saying that staff were in fact permitted to pack bags for elderly and less able customers, and also for people who purchased a new bag for 15 cents.

Changes to Woolworths checkouts

  • Customers need to pack their own shopping bags at the checkout.

  • Staff can pack bags purchased at the checkout and assist customers who may struggle to pack their groceries, like the elderly and less mobile.

  • Markers on the floor at checkouts show customers where to stand to maintain social distancing

A Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia that necessary measures introduced during the coronavirus pandemic had been mostly well received by shoppers.

Markers on the floor at checkouts help customers maintain social distancing. Source: Woolworths
Markers on the floor at checkouts help customers maintain social distancing. Source: Woolworths

“The safety and health of our teams and customers remains our top priority as we continue to support the essential food and grocery needs of the Australian community,” they said in a statement.

“We’ve implemented a range of social distancing and hygiene measures, which have been well received by our customers.

“In the current situation we know many people have had to make changes to the way they shop, and we appreciate our customers' understanding as we adjust our operations in response to COVID-19.”

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