Meadowhall tells shoppers to ‘wrap up warm’ and queue outside as shopping centre reaches capacity

Retailers are allowed to stay open under the current Tier 3 restrictions but have been told to bring in extra safety measures such as hand sanitising stations, one way systems and reduced visitor numbers to limit any potential spread of Covid-19.

But the centre has been inundated with shoppers in recent days with many people heading out to get a bargain in the Boxing Day sales.

In a Facebook post at around 11:40am this morning, Meadowhall said it was ‘at capacity’ and urged those visiting to prepare to queue outside as part of efforts to maintain social distancing in the shopping centre.

A spokesperson said: “We’re carefully managing visitor numbers, so we can be confident that everyone can maintain social distancing.

“As our centre is now at capacity, we are currently asking all arriving visitors to kindly queue in a designated area outside until it is safe for them to enter.

“If you’re planning to visit today please prepare for the weather and wrap up warm!

“Our stores are open until 9pm today, and from 10am-9pm tomorrow. Please consider visiting us at quieter times if you can.”

Many have expressed their frustration at the large numbers of people who are choosing to visit Meadowhall amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

One person said: “The fact that Meadowhall has just announced the building is at capacity and people will have to queue in the car park is just asking for South Yorkshire to go into Tier 4 Lockdown.”

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