A MAN has complained about supermarket staff not following the government’s social distancing rule.

Jim Christopher of Battenhall, Worcester, has complained about staff who man the self-service tills in supermarkets not obeying the social distancing rule to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

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Mr Christopher, aged 45, was in Asda on Sunday, March 22 when the self-service machine was not letting items through and a member of staff came over to swipe their card to correct it.

This happened again in Marks and Spencer on the Shambles on Monday when he had a similar problem.

He said on both occasion staff members “swooped” to invade his personal space to swipe their card.

He said: “I was really annoyed. Haven’t these staff been told not to keep their distance?

“We are meant to be practising social distancing.

“I wasn’t given a chance to move back and keep my distance.”

Mr Christopher added: “No sooner had they seen the red light flashing on my machine and they were over like Usain Bolt.

“This is a serious business.

“The government has told us to keep our distance – people are dying.

“I know some of the general public have been idiotic but you would expect supermarket staff to be a bit more savvy.

“I did frown at the guy in Asda and I think he got the message because the second time, he waited for me to move backwards.

“It only takes a second.

“ It’s not as if they’re desperate for quick sales.

“The supermarkets are making a fortune at the moment.

“I appreciate the staff are under pressure and probably are getting grief from greedy customers stocking up but I just wish they would keep their distance.”

A spokesman from Marks and Spencer said: "M&S fully supports the government’s efforts to protect our NHS and save lives. To help keep all our customers and colleagues well, today our stores have implemented new additional social distancing measures throughout the customer journey."

From today Asda has confirmed it will be implementing a range of social distancing measures to help keep colleagues and customers follow Government guidelines around staying 2 metres apart during essential visits to its shops.

An Asda spokesman said: “It has never been more important for us to work together to keep our distance. I want you to know that everyone at Asda is working tirelessly to make sure you have the essentials your family needs and that you can shop in our stores safely if you need to visit us.

“We’re working hard to protect you and our colleagues – please help us to do so by following the guidelines in place. My colleagues in our stores are working under incredible pressure to serve you – and I am hugely grateful to them for their efforts. Please be kind to them when you visit us - we’re all in this together.”