Guidance to help you shop safely

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Shop safely. Shop local. Wash your hands. Wear a face covering. Support local businesses.

Our business owners are working hard to ensure their premises are safe and clean for both their staff and customers.

Please ensure you follow government guidelines when shopping, dining and visiting your local town centre. The following safety precautions have been put in place to keep our local high streets safe.

For peace of mind while you shop:

Barnet Council have made some key changes to our high streets to enable everyone to return as safely as possible. In some of Barnet’s town centres, you will see:

  • social distancing reminders on the pavements
  • temporary barriers to widen narrow pavements and allow for more effective social distancing where required
  • you might also spot our team of Town Centre Advisors who are visiting businesses to offer advice on how to keep shops safe

Stay safe while shopping locally by following these guidelines:

Wear a face covering

  • It is mandatory to wear a face covering when entering all shops, takeaways and supermarkets. The wearing of masks is also encouraged in enclosed public spaces, spaces where it is more difficult to observe social distancing, or where people are more likely to come into contact with others they would not normally meet.
  • Find out more about face coverings
  • Children under 11 do not need to wear face coverings, children under 3 should not wear face coverings
  • Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings
  • If you require exemptions, you can print an exemption card

Keep a safe distance

  • Observe the 2-metre rule when queuing inside or outside
  • To aid social distancing, some shops are allowing a maximum number of people in their shop at any time

Wash your hands

  • Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser
  • Only touch goods if you intend to purchase them
  • Use contactless or card payment when possible

Do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19 – stay at home.

Keep informed

Visit barnet.gov.uk/covid19 to keep up to date on the latest government safety guidelines and requirements.



Shop safely. Shop local. Wash your hands. Wear a face covering. Support local businesses.

Our business owners are working hard to ensure their premises are safe and clean for both their staff and customers.

Please ensure you follow government guidelines when shopping, dining and visiting your local town centre. The following safety precautions have been put in place to keep our local high streets safe.

For peace of mind while you shop:

Barnet Council have made some key changes to our high streets to enable everyone to return as safely as possible. In some of Barnet’s town centres, you will see:

  • social distancing reminders on the pavements
  • temporary barriers to widen narrow pavements and allow for more effective social distancing where required
  • you might also spot our team of Town Centre Advisors who are visiting businesses to offer advice on how to keep shops safe

Stay safe while shopping locally by following these guidelines:

Wear a face covering

  • It is mandatory to wear a face covering when entering all shops, takeaways and supermarkets. The wearing of masks is also encouraged in enclosed public spaces, spaces where it is more difficult to observe social distancing, or where people are more likely to come into contact with others they would not normally meet.
  • Find out more about face coverings
  • Children under 11 do not need to wear face coverings, children under 3 should not wear face coverings
  • Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings
  • If you require exemptions, you can print an exemption card

Keep a safe distance

  • Observe the 2-metre rule when queuing inside or outside
  • To aid social distancing, some shops are allowing a maximum number of people in their shop at any time

Wash your hands

  • Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser
  • Only touch goods if you intend to purchase them
  • Use contactless or card payment when possible

Do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19 – stay at home.

Keep informed

Visit barnet.gov.uk/covid19 to keep up to date on the latest government safety guidelines and requirements.