Wilko apologises for saying staff could come to work if they had Covid

Retailer backtracks after criticism for reckless' guidance amid new wave of infections and hospitalisations

Wilko has admitted it got it wrong" for telling staff they could come into work if they tested positive for Covid-19, and apologised after it was criticised for issuing reckless" guidance amid a new wave of coronavirus infections and hospitalisations.

The homeware retailchain, which has 414 stores and 16,000 employees across the UK, sent a memo to staff with guidance on its workplace policy after the government's relaxation of rules as part of its living with Covid" plan published last month.