Christmas is only a matter of days away - how did that happen?
And with the coronavirus pandemic bringing on many restrictions to retail Asda is introducing new Covid safety rules ahead of Christmas in the wake of a rush of shoppers heading to supermarkets.
Now Asda is rolling out new rules - including a tougher limit on the number of people in shops at any one time.
Asda president Roger Burnley said: “The festive season is always the busiest time of year for our stores so we have introduced additional safety measures to protect colleagues and customers during this period.
"These new measures will help customers to get in and out of our larger stores quickly and safely and we are confident they will continue to play their part by respecting social distancing when they shop.”
Here are the extra Covid-19 safety measures in full:
- Extra security colleagues on the doors of all 421 larger superstores between December 19 to 24 to help manage access to the stores. This is in addition to the Asda Safety Marshals who are currently on duty at the front of every store.
- Asda’s virtual queuing app ‘Qudini’ is now available in all 421 superstores allowing customers to wait in the comfort of their cars for a slot if the store is busy.
- Automatic counting technology has been installed in Asda’s 100 busiest stores to control access and help customers to socially distance.
- A protective antimicrobial coating is being added to customer ‘touch points’ in stores such as fridge and freezer handles and the checkout areas, The coating, which provides a protective film that helps to kill bacteria and viruses, is also being applied to all basket and trolley handles.
- New point of sale signage to remind customers to respect social distancing and to shop solo if they can to ease congestion in stores.
Here's a breakdown of the opening hours in Asda outlets across Northern Ireland for the Christmas period.
Antrim
Monday 21st 12.01am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd Open 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd Open 24 hours
Christmas Eve 7am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 10am-6pm
Ballyclare
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 10am-6pm
Bangor
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Belfast Shore Road
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 10am-6pm
Belfast Westwood
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 10am-6pm
Asda Living, York Street
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 10am-6pm
Coleraine
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 11am-6pm
Cookstown
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Downpatrick
Monday 21st 7am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd Open 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd Open 24 hours
Christmas Eve 12am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Dundonald
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Enniskillen
Monday 21st 12.01am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd Opem 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd Open 24 hours
Christmas Eve 12am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Kikeel
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Larne
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Newtownards
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Omagh
Monday 21st 6am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd 6am - 12am
Wednesday 23rd 6am - 12am
Christmas Eve 6am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Portadown
Monday 21st 12.01am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd Open 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd Open 24 hours
Christmas Eve 12am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
Strabane
Monday 21st 12.01am - 12am
Tuesday 22nd Open 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd Open 24 hours
Christmas Eve 12am-7pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
Sunday 27th 1pm-6pm
