BOOTS pharmacies are encouraging Ayrshire residents to shop online where possible and only visit stores to pick up essential medicines and supplies.

The pharmacy chain has introduced several new measures to help protect its staff and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This includes limiting the amount of people in store at any one time, introducing floor markings to maintain social distancing, installing Perspex protector screens at tills and pharmacy counters to keep staff safe and urging shoppers to avoid cash payment and use contactless card payment instead.

In addition, Boots say in order to focus all their efforts on providing essential pharmacy and healthcare services, they have temporarily suspended their in store beauty consultations.

Opening times have also been changed due to the coronavirus crisis with customers advised to check the Boots website to see opening times before visiting their nearest store.

Due to the high volume of demand online, the pharmacy is encouraging customers to order their prescription well in advance.

Customers can order their prescriptions via Boots’ free online NHS service directly to their home.

A Boots spokesperson said: “We’re working as hard as we can to get your prescriptions to you as quickly as possible.

“Due to increased demand they may take a few days longer than usual.

“Please allow yourself plenty of time to get your prescription and try to limit your order to what you need.

“We’ll still let you know when your order is ready to be collected, or has been despatched.

“And don’t forget, you can also track the status of your delivery with the tracking code in your confirmation email.”

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