The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced last night that no one should leave their homes, except for essential activities, which includes shopping for basic necessities, one form of exercise a day, and travelling to work if absolutely necessary. This is in place for a period of three weeks initially.
In guidance issued by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, it sets out that all retail outlets must close, apart from those that are exempt and can remain open. Among those on the exempt list, health stores are listed, along with the likes of pharmacies, supermarkets, newsagents and petrol stations.
The National Association of Health Stores, which represents independent health stores across the UK, said in a statement: “Following the Prime Minister’s address to the nation closing all non-essential shops in an effort to combat coronavirus, the Government has now confirmed that health food stores are included as ‘essential services’ and should remain open during the three-week lockdown to support customers dietary and health food needs.
Natural Lifestyle would advise you check first if your health food store is remaining open as some have moved to delivery only, and others are putting in restrictions in terms of the number of customers allowed in the story at any time. We will continue to update readers as the situation develops.
