AMAZON’S French warehouses will remain closed after the retail giant lost an appeal to overturn a court decision that bosses were not doing enough to protect workers from coronavirus.

The company was forced to temporarily shut all its French distribution centres last week after a court ordered it to stop selling non-essential goods while it works out new safety measures with staff.

Amazon appealed against the decision, arguing that it was too complicated to separate out activities.

On Friday evening, the Appeals Court upheld the requirement for Amazon to work out new safety measures but extended the products Amazon is allowed to sell, adding electronics and pet and office supplies. The original ruling only permitted sales of food, medical and cleaning supplies.

Potential fines for Amazon for future violations were also reduced by the court, from €1 million (£874,740) per infraction to €100,000 (£87,474).

Global sales for the company have soared during the Covid-19 outbreak as many people turn to online shopping for their essentials, further lining the pockets of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest person.

In a statement, Amazon said it will keep its distribution centres closed but insisted that its facilities are safe and that it had involved worker representatives in discussions about safety measures.

Workers accused the company of putting profits before staff safety as the pandemic hit France, and the courts found that Amazon had not done enough to enforce social distancing, ensure turnstiles and locker rooms were virus-free or to increase cleaning of its warehouses.

French unions said that one worker infected with Covid-19 is in intensive care.

SUD-Solidaires union member Jean-Francois Berot, who packs and picks goods at a warehouse in Saran, south Paris, said that the courts will require Amazon to “work differently, which is not such a bad thing.

“The judgement reminded them that there are laws, and they have to adhere to them.” Mr Berot said he hopes negotiations can start as soon as today.

And UNI Global Union general secretary Christy Hoffman said: “The court’s decision means that it’s time for Amazon to start behaving like a responsible employer and establish a productive relationship with labour unions, in France and elsewhere.”