Supermarkets in Hertfordshire are failing to do enough to stop the transmission of Covid-19 in their stores, according to a leading county councillor.

And they need to do more to protect festive shoppers, the council’s executive member for public health and prevention Tim Hutchings said.

Covid-19 levels are now higher in the region than at any time since the start of the pandemic.

Data shows shops are among the places where the Covid-19 virus is most likely to be spread in Hertfordshire.

As festive shoppers prepare to do their biggest grocery shop of the year, Cllr Hutchings highlighted the risks at some supermarkets and urged shoppers to visit stores at quieter times of day.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, he said there are supermarkets that need to do more – even if it increases their costs.

He said supermarkets have a responsibility to make sure stores are not overcrowded and shoppers are socially distanced.

He also says it should be up to staff to make sure customers are wearing face masks and they use hand sanitiser as they enter.

Cllr Hutchings said: “We are already concerned about infection in retail areas and unless we are very careful I think this is going to get even worse.

“I think (supermarkets) need to do more to keep customers safe.”

He suggested infection control measures in some supermarkets have dropped in recent weeks – pointing to experiences where tables with hand sanitizer had been pushed out of the way.

“Next week the queues at the tills are going to get bigger and bigger,” he said. “I think they need to do more to ensure distance is maintained.

“I know that’s a real challenge and a lot easier to say than to do. I think supermarkets need to invest in making sure that it is done.”

Speaking more generally about the Christmas period, where restrictions will be temporarily relaxed to allow three households to meet together, Cllr Hutchings urged residents to take care.

He said: “I would like to reinforce the messages to everybody about taking care this Christmas.

“Just because you ‘can’ doesn’t mean to say you ‘should’. Everybody needs to assess what they are doing, how they are doing it and the possible dangers of doing so.”