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EU PolicyWatch

Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure BG-2021-1/2146 – measures in Bulgaria

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in METRO stores

Предотвратяване разпространението на коронавирусната инфекция в магазините на Метро

Country Bulgaria , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 01 January 2021
Context COVID-19
Type Company practices
Category Reorientation of business activities
– Change of production/Innovation
Author Tsetomila Sabcheva and Luboslav Kostov (Citub)
Measure added 11 January 2022 (updated 18 January 2022)

Background information

The METRO supermarkets are among the largest Bulgarian food stores. Implementing innovative technologies and a number of measures, METRO focuses its efforts on securing customers' shopping experience.

Entering the METRO stores does not require a "green certificate" despite the size of the premises. However customers are required to follow the rules for safe and secure shopping. People with a body temperature above 37.5 Celsius are not allowed to enter the METRO stores. All stores are equipped with thermal cameras and monitor the temperature of customers. If a customer is detected with a body temperature above 37.5 Celsius they are provided with a compensation voucher worth BGN 10 (€5) for future shop visit.

Content of measure

The applied measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19 on site include:

  • Obligation to wear a protective mask covering both nose and mouth
  • Regular cleaning of the entrance counter and toilets
  • Disinfection of the cash registers every two hours
  • Disinfection of doors, shop windows, shopping carts, luggage lockers three times per day.
  • Staff wear masks, gloves and work clothes that are only used on site.
  • Disinfection dispensers placed at the entrance of the store allowing each customer to disinfect hands when entering the site
  • Distribution of free-of-charge masks and gloves to customers.
  • Provision of remote thermometers for additional health control of employees and customers.

Use of measure

All customers of the METRO store benefit from the safety measures. Queues and crowding are not allowed and an automatic traffic control system is in place to monitor the number of people on site.

All customers can use disinfectant dispensers within the key shopping areas areas of the store. The METRO stores posses internationally recognized certificate for anti-COVID measures issued by Bureau Veritas.

The employees of METRO are provided with PCR tests in order to guarantee a safe workplace environment.

Contents

  • Health and safety

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
Company / Companies
Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement as case not in social partner domain No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

No social partner's involvement in the design and implementation of the measure.

Views and reactions

No social partner's views are registered on the design and implementation of the measure.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      G - Wholesale And Retail Trade; Repair Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles G46 Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

  • 01 January 2021: МЕРКИТЕ СРЕЩУ COVID-19 В МЕТРО (www.metro.bg)

Citation

Eurofound (2022), Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in METRO stores, measure BG-2021-1/2146 (measures in Bulgaria), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/BG-2021-1_2146.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.