A SUPERMARKET worker from Hertfordshire who has contracted coronavirus has put the blame squarely on the government’s failure to enforce proper protection for retail staff.

The worker — a rep for shopworkers’ union Usdaw, who preferred not to be named — told the Morning Star she had been off sick since waking up on Thursday with a dry cough and chest pains. 

Slamming ministers’ “laissez-faire” attitude, she pointed out that few measures had been put in place to ensure that workers are protected. 

Unlike in many European countries, British supermarkets have yet to introduce maximum capacities or social-distancing measures in stores, screens on checkouts or protective wear for staff.

This leaves staff exposed to infection as thousands of customers pass through stores every day.

“It’s just shocking that more hasn’t been done. There’s been a total disregard for safety … nothing to try and crowd-control, nothing to try and control the carnage that’s been going on in the stores over the last couple of days,” the union rep said. 

“The government should be taking a lot more leadership than they have, the way we’ve gone about it is completely laissez-faire.”

Labour demanded last night that the Tories put measures in place to protect retail workers, enforce social distancing, ration products and change opening hours in all major supermarkets.

“Too often, the government seems on the back foot when it comes to responding to this crisis,” shadow food secretary Luke Pollard charged.

“Its communication is unclear and it is leaving it to others, such as supermarkets, football clubs and postal workers, to take the steps needed to protect public health themselves.” 

Earlier this week the government rejected calls for social distancing in supermarkets. 

Mr Pollard’s Tory counterpart, George Eustice, claimed that similar measures in Italy, where tape is put on the floor to mark where customers can stand, has been “counterproductive” because it led to crowding outside supermarket doors. 

But Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said that shopworkers should be entitled to “whatever protection they think is necessary.” 

“They are more exposed than everybody else,” he told the Star.

“They are the unsung heroes at the moment — they are the ones keeping the shelves stocked up. It’s important we show courtesy and respect to them.”

Be sure to get a copy of Monday’s Morning Star, which will carry a feature on the experience of retail workers bearing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.