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Original poster

Would you feel safe in Ikea yet?

53 replies

Getmesomecoffee · 05/05/2021 10:49

I was thinking of going this week, but feel a bit nervous. I've not been in many shops this year, done online supermarket shopping, so this would be my first trip to a big shop. I'm being silly, yes? I've had one vaccine. I'm trying to push myself out of my comfort zone.

OP posts:
flashylamp · 05/05/2021 10:49

Are you CEV?

SoMuchForSummerLove · 05/05/2021 10:50

Yes, I would. Just the usual stuff - mask, distance, sanitise, and you'll be fine. You're not going to be near any other person for a significant amount of time.

Doyouwantanothercuppa · 05/05/2021 10:50

The till area of IKEA is the busiest place I’ve been since March 2020. The rest of the shop was fine.

lurker101 · 05/05/2021 10:51

Yes, they’ll have rules in place such as maximum capacity and there will be mask wearing and hand sanistiser, so I would be comfortable. More so, probably than a lot of places that are doing it half-heartedly.

Redcrayons · 05/05/2021 10:51

I went when it was last open (September, October-ish?) and it was fine.

They already have the one way system, it’s massive so you not that close to anyone. I probably would avoid busy weekend times if you’re nervous, but midweek late should be ok.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 05/05/2021 10:52

I went, it was fine.

Seeline · 05/05/2021 10:52

My MIL (in her 80s) went to our local one mid-week and said it was very quiet.

Probably avoid weekends if you can.

stuckinarutatwork · 05/05/2021 10:54

IKEA itself was fine. I went when they opened at 10 and there was a queue to get in so I did the marketplace first and then went back to look round the displays upstairs to avoid the crowds shuffling their way through the first few sections.
The queue for the food (hotdog cafe by the checkouts) was horrific. No social distancing whatsoever and everyone pushing / leaning over to read the menu screens etc. I was quite anxious and I'm not normally a stressy person (nor am I CV or anything).

Thesearmsofmine · 05/05/2021 10:58

DH went last week for some garden chairs. He said it was fine apart from the queue for the hotdog bit at the end. For some reason they didn’t have anyone manning the tills at the food market area so anyone buying from there had to queue at the hot dog bit as well.

Original poster
Getmesomecoffee · 05/05/2021 11:22

Thanks! I think I'm going to do it Smile

OP posts:
Definately · 05/05/2021 11:23

Yeah. IKEA is massive.

ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere · 05/05/2021 11:27

They’re really well ventilated although the queues can be a bit of a scrum so go at a quieter time. You may find this map reassuring, (unless you’re in Lugwardine or Accrington in which case give it a couple more weeks)
coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

SeaTurtles92 · 05/05/2021 11:35

Go when it's quiet so avoid weekends for a start and quieter times of the day.
IKEA is huge so no problem SD.

sollythecat · 05/05/2021 11:52

Go for it. My mil who has had two vaccines went to a shop last week after largely isolating for the past year and had a panic attack. I've not had any vaccines and have been in shops, when able, throughout.

HolmeH · 05/05/2021 11:52

I’ve been to a couple IKEAS recently.. Leeds & Manchester. I live equidistant to them which is handy if I want something specific in stock!

Leeds was a pleasant experience, had to queue to get in for about 15 mins, was busy but not horribly. Longgg queues at the tills.

Manchester was hell. The store was fine, happy browsing. The tills were fine. The queue for the lift was insane. I queued for a whole hour to get into the lift back up to the carpark as it was one family per lift at a time 😱 I nearly lost the plot 😂

Leeds IKEA is one level. I’ll be going there for the foreseeable!

idontlikealdi · 05/05/2021 11:54

Yes I would, but drove past the one in Surrey Quays at the weekend and the queue was ridiculous. So I'd go at a quieter time!

Doomsdayiscoming · 05/05/2021 11:58

This title reminds of a time I saw a white guy walking around IKEA with a modern bow (and arrows) on his back, a couple of years ago.

No one batted an eyelid. I couldn’t believe it.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 05/05/2021 12:06

I was there for opening time on a weekday which is probably the best option.

herecomesthsun · 05/05/2021 13:14

I am CEV. I have been shopping in Aldi and B and M etc. - but I do a school drop off at 8.15 and nip in after that, so the place is deserted.

I don't go anywhere busy or where I need to queue.

I am fully vaxed now.

QwertyGirly · 05/05/2021 13:16

My bank account is never safe in Ikea

Schulte · 05/05/2021 13:17

IKEA deliver a lot of stuff so if you’re worried, you could always try to shop online instead... I agree it feels safe as the stores are massive but personally wouldn’t fancy queuing.

NotMeekNotObedient · 05/05/2021 13:25

Went on Monday (we were in the area otherwise would usually avoid bank holidays). There was covered queuing outside - it did take say 30mins to get in but their traffic light system was fab... it also helps space people out going round the store.

We created a wishlist on the website - it then tells you where each item is in the store - we were in and out fairly quickly.

Girlmama3 · 05/05/2021 13:25

Pick a quiet time. Either when they open or an hour before they close? I'm desperate to go but I'm really worried about the amount I'll spend 😂

Starlightstarbright1 · 05/05/2021 13:28

I have bee twice.. both times fine.. more space than supermarkets.

ChocOrange1 · 05/05/2021 13:34

I wouldn't go on a Saturday, although not because its "unsafe" but just because I don't like busy places and queueing. If you can, I would suggest going on a Wednesday afternoon or something when it will be quieter.