Blue sign with white text from Tesco reading ‘Sorry, this cubicle/urinal is not in use.’ with a graphic of two people standing 2m apart, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at the Bounds Green Road Tesco Express, London

Two metres was the strictest form of social distancing in England and was adopted by businesses, key services, and public places. It is estimated that spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of a person with COVID-19 can pass on the virus. Tesco closed toilets, equipment and checkouts to help enforce physical and social distancing. Protective screens, one-way systems, one in one out queuing systems and priority hours for people at higher risk of COVID-19 and key workers were also introduced.

Tesco produced a range of signage in their distinctive colour palette and font with a team of copywriter and designers from Sherlock, a Brighton based strategic branding and retail design consultancy. Like all businesses, Tesco had to quickly develop a range of signage which was constantly adapted and updated to changing pandemic restrictions and guidance.