That stores have closed toilets - it's a problem isn't it?

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

I've just found myself at a large DIY store bursting to go and find they've coded customer loos. I'm lucky I can hold it but not everyone can, right?

Yes it is a big problem. One of the reasons why I’ve swapped to internet only shopping. Sadly the ease and stress free process of internet shopping means I’m really unlikely to go back to high street shopping again.
If shipping centres etc want customer footfall they are going to have to do something about it.

I don’t feel comfortable using public toilets at the moment anyway. Isn’t the problem, the aerosol created when someone flushes. If the person before you didn’t put the lid down it can stay in the air.

I think there is a scientific theory that the virus could be transmitted that way. Whether it’s been absolutely proven to be so, is yet another question. But there must be way of connecting flush to seat, so the seat has to be lowered first or a sensor does it.
There will be a cost - but there will also be a cost to losing customer footfall. Which is worse?

It is a problem, and now that schools are going back, shops are open, leisure venues are open and we're being encouraged to travel to work again, I don't think it's justified to still have closed toilets. I think it's just more convenient for the shops to keep them closed. A lot of corners were cut, by necessity, during the lockdown. It'll be interested to see how many corners are restored...

*interesting not interested

You’re right OP. And it’s a problem that disproportionately affects women, especially those who have periods, and those with weaker pelvic floors.

@Comefromaway

I don’t feel comfortable using public toilets at the moment anyway. Isn’t the problem, the aerosol created when someone flushes. If the person before you didn’t put the lid down it can stay in the air.

So wear your mask into the toilet.

You have to wear them indoors anyway 🤷‍♀️

I had a real issue with a period that wouldn't stop and lasted 6 weeks. Not having public toilets really made it worse because I could t go out.

That made me really think about how this disadvantaged people with continence issues and how - again- certain groups of people are always disadvantaged and not considered in decisions.

Luckily for me it was a short term issue

So sick and tired of this issue too, 35 weeks pregnant and I still get refused entry to what are clearly taped closed toilets that are full of staff skiving dunelm

Can't believe some people are more concerned about catching covid from faeces than providing sanitary places for putting those faeces.
Toilets do not spread Covid-19. People do. If you want people to come to shops and cafes and restaurants etc and are willing to take the risk of transmitting the virus to enable that to happen for the greater good of the economy and life in general, then people should have access to toilets. The toilets don't need to be built, they are already there and should be opened up. Lots of posters have given reasons for why they need access to toilets, which average people may not be fully aware of.
To say you are closing the toilets to protect the cleaner from the possible transmission of Covid 19 via faeces is a pretty poor excuse. Give the cleaner protective clothing!
I think this is illustrated quite well by the toilets on motorways. In the UK, common sense has prevailed and the services have remained open. In some European countries the toilets are shut. The result is unspeakable conditions in the surrounding shrubbery. Which is less sanitary and less hygienic as an approach to public health (which incidentally is not only about Covid-19)?

@MrsA2015

So sick and tired of this issue too, 35 weeks pregnant and I still get refused entry to what are clearly taped closed toilets that are full of staff skiving dunelm

Dunelm actually said although toilets were officially closed the door was open if I wanted to go in!

Give people the choice at least! I recently got caught short in a takeaway cafe. I asked if I could use the toilets and she said they weren't being cleaned regularly but if I was desperate I could use them. At that moment I would have rather taken the risk of covid then shit myself in public.
It's totally irresponsible and I wouldnt shop anywhere that has a toilet but is refusing to open it. They are basically saying we want your money but won't provide an essential facility for you. The worst thing is for people who have gone somewhere expecting the toilet to be open only to be caught short by it being shut when they arrive. By then they could be desperate and far away from home. I know that feeling of panic and it's bloody awful.

Ridiculous that people are more worried about potential spread from toilets being flushed with open lids than by people not being able to actually wash hands, which is apparently our main line of defence...

Typical of rules made by men in London offices, with no thought given to the elderly, disabled, women or children.