Petition calls for shopworkers to be prioritised for Covid vaccination

The petition, launched by Sarah Green, who said: “Key retail workers, come into contact with hundreds of members of the public on a daily basis, putting their and their families lives at risk of contracting Covid 19. We don’t have the vast PPE that the NHS are provided with and rely on people to keep their distance and wear masks, which doesn’t always happen.

“This is a petition to demand we get faster protection for our front line key retail staff, who keep the country fed.”

The petition had reached 3,323 signatures at the time of writing (11 January). At 10, 000 signatures the government will respond and at 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Convenience retailers Jonathan James, Dee Sedani and Steve Bassett are among those supporting the move.

Retail trade union Usdaw has written to health and business ministers calling for the government to ensure that frontline retail staff are prioritised for the Covid vaccination and testing.