SHOP workers must be valued, respected and protected, union leaders have said.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed the recent announcement by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, that businesses in Wales will have to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment under new Welsh Government legislation.

The union has been 'inundated' with complaints from members 'deeply concerned' about their safety, as customers blatantly flout the rules.

Nick Ireland – Usdaw Divisional Officer said: "We welcome that the Welsh Government is legislating for risk assessments to be reviewed and updated regularly, and we urge employers to do that in co-operation with trade union health and safety reps.

"We also welcome the particular focus on retail and the strengthening of regulations to make stores as safe as possible. Retail staff are working with the public every day and not only suffer increased abuse, but are deeply worried about catching Covid-19.

"We are very concerned by reports from our members that too many customers are abusing shopworkers and not following necessary safety measures, like social distancing, wearing a face covering and shopping alone where possible for essential items only.

"Usdaw is urging the shopping public to strictly follow the rules and respect shopworkers. Supermarket staff have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country supplied with essentials. These key workers must be valued, respected and protected."

Mark Drakeford said regulations would be 'strengthened' to make sure retailers offer sanitisers for hands and trolleys, limit the numbers of people inside stores, and ensure people keep their distance from others.

These measures which were guidance, will now become the law.

The new rules announced on Friday are part of a package of measures introduced following concerns that a faster spreading variant of Covid-19 is behind a spike of transmissions across the country.

At the Welsh Government press conference, Mark Drakeford said retailers will need signs to be visible, must have sanitiser available for hands and trollies and they must have systems to limit the numbers of customers in store.

It will also include tannoy announcements and markers on floors, everything that is visible to ensure measures are in place.

Mr Drakeford said on workplaces generally, it will be a legal requirement for all businesses with five or more employees to carry out a coronavirus risk assessment.

They include things like making sure there is adequate ventilation, making sure people are physically distancing and using PPE, and to consider whether their employees can work from home.

Mr Drakeford said the risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly by law even when Wales moves down from its current Alert Level 4.