Primark has announced that it will be closing down all of its UK stores until further notice.
The major high street retailer will be shutting down all 189 of its outlets, including the branch in Northumberland Street, Newcastle, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The closure will come at the end of business today (Sunday) and will reportedly affect 37,000 people who are employed by the business.
A spokesperson said: “Our main priority is the health and wellbeing of our employees.
“Primark has committed to supporting all employees who are directly affected by store closures, with full pay for their contracted hours for 14 days, after which the situation will be reviewed.
“Primark will continue to closely monitor the situation, following WHO advice as well as local and national government guidance.”
The store has said it will also be extending its refund and exchange policy to make things easier for customers.
Products purchased on or after February 1 can be returned for 28 days after the date the stores in the country of purchase re-open.
The company will still be operating its website throughout the closure.
