Ikea reopening plans and rules explained, including when its restaurants will start serving

IKEA has revealed a number of rules that shoppers will have to follow when it reopens stores in England and Wales on April 12.

The retailer said it would be putting in place “stringent” measures to ensure that staff and customers can shop safely when stores reopen next week.

Ikea will reopen stores in England and Wales on April 12Credit: PA

This includes putting extra hand sanitiser facilities throughout stores, and more cleaning will take place – especially across bathrooms, trolleys, bags, touchscreens and rest areas.

However, restaurants in stores will remain closed until May 17 in line with Government guidelines.

But Ikea’s Bistros, which offer a contact-free takeaway service, will remain open along with its Swedish Food Markets.

If you’re planning on taking a trip to Ikea when stores reopen from next week, you’ll have to follow a number of rules.

Social distancing measures will be in place throughout stores, and wardens will be in shops to ensure these rules are being followed.

Customers and staff must wear masks and workers’ temperatures will also be checked.

There will be a staggered entry system and only a limited number of customers will be allowed to shop in store at any one time.

This means that you might have to queue outside during busier times.

Ikea is also encouraging shoppers to pay using contactless payment methods.

Protective screens will also be put in place in key areas including checkouts, service points and customer returns desks.

However, all play areas will remain closed.

Ikea also confirmed click and collect services will resume in stores in Northern Ireland from April 12.

Shoppers can still continue to use Ikea’s click and collect service in England and Wales if they don’t want to shop in store.

There are 4,000 click and collect drop off points you can use nationwide.

Ikea stores in Scotland have already reopened after non-essential retailers were allowed to welcome back customers on April 5.

Ikea UK&IE country retail manager Peter Jelkeby said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming customers safely back into our stores, inspiring people to live a better and more sustainable everyday through our range of affordable home furnishings.”