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PLENTY of outlets have needed to shut throughout lockdowns throughout the UK to assist restrict the unfold of coronavirus.
However how have the Covid-19 restrictions affected charity retailers and might I nonetheless donate to Thoughts, Oxfam and British Crimson Cross? We clarify all you have to know.
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Oxfam is one charity store that has been compelled to close throughout lockdownCredit score: Jon Bond
Prime Minister Boris Johnson final week introduced a national shutdown to help stop the spread of coronavirus and save the NHS.
Are charity retailers open?
Charity retailers are categorised as non-essential, so all bodily shops have needed to near prospects.
This contains retailers equivalent to Barnardo’s, Oxfam, Thoughts, Marie Curie, British Coronary heart Basis, British Crimson Cross and Sue Ryder.
It is much like the primary lockdown, which noticed all charity retailers closed for a couple of months from March final yr.
Barnardo’s was then one of many first charity retailers to announce plans to reopen 70 of its 700 UK retailers in England from June 15.
Nevertheless, on-line prospects are nonetheless in a position to store from Mind’s and British Red Cross’ eBay shops, for instance, whereas Oxfam has a web-based store on its web site.
The supply charges on eBay fluctuate between objects, whereas Oxfam prices £3.95 for traditional house supply.
Can I nonetheless make donations to charity retailers?
Whereas charity retailers equivalent to Thoughts, Oxfam and British Crimson Cross stay closed, you will not be capable to make donations to them.
As soon as they reopen, you possibly can resume donating your objects however not in the identical means as earlier than.
The Charity Retail Affiliation (CRA) says donations shouldn’t be left outdoors of store doorways or in doorways.
Donors can also be directed to “donation’” factors, equivalent to empty retailers or warehouses, as an alternative.
Because of this, like clothes returns, all donations could be quarantined for a minimal for 72 hours to cease the unfold of Covid-19.
Alternatively, some charity retailers could settle for donations for on-line gross sales, so be sure you examine their web sites.
If you would like to donate cash, most charities will allow you to do that on their web sites too.
Will there be social distancing in charity retailers?
Sure. Charity retailers, like different retailers, should meet certain government guidelines before reopening as soon as restrictions are eased.
This contains putting in hand sanitiser stations for employees and prospects and usually cleansing surfaces.
Social distancing will probably be in place outdoors of the charity retailers and in addition inside shops.
Charity retailers will even cap the variety of folks allowed in at anyone time, and consumers should put on face masks, until exempt.
Prospects are additionally being discouraged from picking up different items and placing them again.
We clarify the full list of essential shops that may open through the third lockdown.
Final week, the Covid risk stage moved into its highest stage for the first time ever.
The tighter restrictions come because the spread of the new strain of COVID-19 has led to “quickly escalating case numbers throughout the nation”.
