ANYONE looking objectively at the government’s performance through this pandemic may have started with some sympathy for the decisions it had to make, but must now surely see that it has been chaos at the top.

The last fortnight has been no different and that is because the Prime Minister has decided to abandon any attempt to work with trade unions or even employers in pursuit of what he calls “freedom.”

Freedom for people who don’t want to wear covering — I emphasise “want” because we know there are people who can’t — along with freedom for people who don’t want to social distance or observe hand hygiene.

However, that is not freedom for workers worried about catching Covid-19.

Retail key workers have no freedom to avoid coronavirus unless we maintain important safety measures in stores, because they have no choice but to interact with hundreds of shoppers on each shift — it’s their job.

So it beggars belief that the Prime Minister chose to dismiss the concerns of our members and many workers who are desperately worried about Monday, when pretty much all restrictions are lifted.

We understand that the government has to make progress on reopening the economy by allowing more businesses to get back to normal, but surely this must be done in a measured and gradual manner, rather than a big bang.

The government could have eased existing restrictions while maintaining safety measures in businesses that have been open throughout the pandemic, like supermarkets.

Face coverings, hand hygiene and social distancing have pretty much become the norm in retail, with most customers following the rules.

There is no impact on the economy if those rules continue, but of course that doesn’t fit with the “freedom” rhetoric.

Instead the government has decided that important safety measures to protect staff and customers are now a matter of personal choice.

It has subcontracted responsibility for safety legislation out to employers and the public, which is a recipe for chaos, confusion and Covid contagion.

But even the PM was unsure about it and was shifting his position on face coverings live on television during the July 5 press conference and they have moved further since to strengthen the message, but have still fallen short of it being mandatory.

The government’s guidance, issued only a couple of days ago, is vague and not enough to keep workers safe.

We were very disappointed that the government did not consult broadly with unions and employers on this guidance — unlike last year — over the reopening of non-essential retail.

What it published provides no assurances for staff or employers, it is a real mess.

Protection for retail workers through wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing in busy public areas like shops should be backed up by the law.

Early indications suggest that retailers have heard Usdaw’s calls to consider their duty of care as employers. Many have said that they will keep existing safety measures in stores and promote them to customers.

We continue to call on the whole retail industry to follow suit, because we know that different rules in different shops will lead to customer confusion and weaken the culture of safety first that has built up through the pandemic.

Issues around Covid safety measures have become major flashpoints through the pandemic, with incidents of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers doubling.

The lack of clarity and leadership from the government risks making matters worse.

Usdaw has been clear from the beginning that shopworkers are not responsible for enforcing the wearing of face coverings and that any “no mask, no entry” policies must be implemented using trained security staff.

Disputes often break out between customers, and shopworkers get caught in the middle. These arguments can result in customer frustration and anger, which does get taken out on staff.

The vast majority of shoppers have appreciated shopworkers, but a significant minority leave our members worried about when they will next be the wrong side of abuse, or worse.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. The government sets the rules for England and the devolved nations have taken a different approach, having taken on board Usdaw’s calls to prioritise protection of shopworkers.

In Wales they have said easing safety measures will be gradual, Scotland is keeping face coverings for the foreseeable future and Northern Ireland will look at the issue again in mid-August.

So we urge the shopping public to show their support and respect for shopworkers by continuing to wear a face covering, observe hand hygiene and maintain social distancing when in store.

Many retail workers are at a greater risk of catching the virus and bringing it home to their families.

They have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country fed and deserve to be valued, respected and protected.

Paddy Lillis is general secretary of Usdaw.