Retail chains have calculated how many stores will be screened for opportunity passports – some already indicate and how this could happen

Checked at checkout

Some time ago, the government decided to restrict access to the largest supermarkets for those without immunity or passport.

It was decided that those who do not have the relevant documents will be able to buy in stores only if the commercial space of the store is less than 1,500 square meters.

Norfa representative Darius Ryliškis Delfi commented that there are a total of 151 Norfa stores in Lithuania, 32 of which are over 1,500 square meters.

He explained that, as it might seem, the retail chain has a vision, but whether it will be proven will depend on the government’s responses.

“We have our vision of how it should and could look and we have sent it to the competent authorities for their explanations and recommendations because there are doubts. Once the responses are received, we will know exactly what passport control will look like, ”he said.

A representative from the retail chain told tv3.lt a bit earlier that the vision is for opportunity passports to be verified at the store checkout, and their cashier might ask before the customer pays, but it’s unclear if this will be the case. .

“There is still a lot of time to reconcile everything,” he said.

D. Ryliškis assured that so far only one thing is clear: everyone who wants to enter the stores, regardless of their size, will have to wear masks, although the government requirements for passport holders establish this as a recommendation.

“The order will not change, everyone will have to wear masks,” he said, explaining that if the government’s recommendations were followed that only those with passport options could be followed without masks, it would complicate verification.

“So you have to build a security guard at the gate and passports can be checked at the gate.” This creates all kinds of difficulties, ”he said.

According to D. Ryliškis, the divisions between workplaces and the requirement to respect distances also remain in stores.

Decide on additional staff

Ernesta Dapkienė, director of the Department of Communication and Image of Maxima, stated that the retail chain operates a total of 252 stores, of which there are 82 stores with a sales area of ​​more than 1,500 square meters. subway. and will be subject to new restrictions imposed by the government as of September 13.

“We are currently looking for the most optimal solutions to implement the restrictions established in the Government Resolution, so that neither our employees nor our clients face significant difficulties.

As before, we will responsibly implement all the requirements established by the Government, ”he said.

Gabrielė Šerėnienė, representative of Rimi Lietuva, spoke in a similar way. According to her, the retail chain has a total of 71 stores, 33 of which will have to check buyers’ passports and equivalent documents.

“The planning process is currently underway, which is highly dependent on new information emerging on a daily basis and clarification of the requirements of the Ministry of Health.

We try to find solutions that avoid problems and make shopping difficult in our stores. We will communicate what document verification will look like in our stores when all the details are in place, ”he said.

The representative also assured that it is currently being decided whether additional personnel will be needed for documentary verification.

Consider technology solutions

There are a total of 227 stores in the Iki retail chain. According to communication chief Vaida Budrienė, 11 of them are more than 1,500 square meters. commercial space, but this figure does not include those stores that are located on the premises of supermarkets.

What is the total number of larger stores where the inspections will take place, along with those of supermarkets, the representative could not yet say.

“In total, there will be several dozen stores where opportunity passports will have to be checked.

Now we are analyzing ”, informed.

Overall, the spokeswoman said the requirements would surely be met, and hiring more staff is also being considered today.

“We are currently deciding the ways in which they will be implemented.” We are considering both technological solutions and greater involvement of human resources so that our customers can shop comfortably and safely, “he said.

Lidl Lietuva PR representative Lina Skersytė Delfi said that there are currently 56 Lidl stores in our country, located in 22 Lithuanian cities, but the vast majority of stores have a sales area of ​​less than 1,500 square meters.

“If, in certain individual cases, it is necessary to verify buyers’ passports, we will act in accordance with the requirements and proposed recommendations,” the representative said.

Asked how to verify

The newsroom also asked how passports and other documents necessary for access to supermarkets such as Panorama, Akropolis or Ozas could be checked.

Ina Augulienė, manager of the latter property, stated that regarding the vision of what the passport control of PPC Ozas should be, it is currently actively analyzing the market providers that can offer technological solutions.

“Of course, if the technological solutions fail, we have other ways to verify the passports of the visitors: at the entrance, each security guard would be greeted with a security passport, a European COVID-19 digital certificate or another document recognized as a suitable alternative according to the operations manual.

We also have the right, if we see the need or just by chance, to ask a person to present an identity document along with the passport to ensure that the person’s passport is used, so if necessary we would take advantage of this chance. also. “I. Augulienė spoke about the inspection procedure.

According to her, PPC Ozas will also employ at least a dozen more security guards to ensure the implementation of such a decision.

“Because right now their capacity is too small for every visitor to check the passport,” he added, saying that an even larger force of security personnel would be provided during peak visitor hours.

The representatives of Panorama and Akropolis stated that the inspection procedure has not yet been decided.

“Panorama is preparing a plan for various scenarios, but there is currently a lack of specific government instructions and a definition of how visitor control will be carried out, so it is not yet possible to comment on specific planned actions today,” said a Panorama spokesperson. .

Dominykas Mertinas, head of the Akropolis Group communication department, assured that a solution is still being sought.

“We are currently looking for the most efficient and simple solution that allows customers to visit shopping and entertainment centers only with passports of opportunity,” he said.