CEREDIGION County Council are calling on retailers to familiarise themselves with social distancing rules before shops reopen on Monday.

Non-essential retail stores will be allowed to reopen their doors from Monday, 22 June, following the announcement by Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford today (Friday) who emphasised the need for care to keep Wales safe.

Ceredigion County Council says it is committed to supporting local businesses by offering advice and guidance.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion said: "The council is working with local stakeholders to put plans into place to reopen safely.

"As responsible businesses, many will no doubt be considering how they will open safely and compliantly.

"We encourage businesses to take some time to consider setting up plans to ensure a safe and managed re-opening.

"Also, to familiarise with the restrictions set out in the Regulations to ensure that on the first day of re-opening, they are compliant with the legislation."

Businesses that are permitted to reopen to the public are required to comply with these three basic requirements:

· Take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of two metres is maintained between any persons on the business premises, etc. (this includes staff and customers);

· Take all reasonable measures to ensure that persons are only admitted to the business premises in sufficiently small numbers to make it possible to maintain the two metre distance;

· Take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of two metres is maintained between persons waiting to enter the business premises.

The council spokesperson added: "As the situation is rapidly developing, it is vital that businesses in Ceredigion are suitably prepared to meet these challenges.

"It is vital that they plan for the safe return of staff and members of the public resorting to the business. Relevant advice and information is available from the Welsh Government and other Regulatory Authorities to support businesses in terms of compliance."

Advice and guidance on social distancing rules are available on the council’s website: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/CovidEconomySupport