How Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, M&S and Waitrose are fighting the spread of coronavirus

Major supermarket chains across the UK have rolled out a number of measures to fight the spread of coronavirus.

While the country is on lockdown, one member of each household is still able to head out to the shops to buy essentials.

However, there are a number of rules that must be followed which can differ from store to store.

Most stores have now introduced designated hours for NHS staff, the elderly, vulnerable people and carers, as well as host of other practices.

Here is a breakdown of important rules that customers should be aware of before heading to these supermarkets.

Sainsbury's

(PA)

Sainsbury's has rolled out a number of new rules amid the crisis, which include limiting products and erecting protective screens for staff.

Rules for Sainsbury's shoppers:

• Since Wednesday 25 March, Sainsbury's has limited the number of people in stores and ATMs at any one time.
• Queuing systems have been put in place outside stores and customers are to keep a safe distance of two metres apart
• Last week the supermarket began reducing the number of checkouts in supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.
• Sainsbury's is also introducing safety screens at manned checkouts and are regularly sanitising customer areas.
• Sainsbury's have limited the most popular products - including toilet paper and UHT milk - to three per customer.

Asda

One shopper shared this photo on social media of empty pasta shelves in Asda in Leith (Aisha Abdulai/Facebook)

Like many other supermarkets, ASDA is limiting products and introducing a whole host of new rules for customers to follow.

Asda's shopping rules:

• Shoppers can only buy up to three product across all food items, toiletries and cleaning products.
• Customers can only touch items they intend to purchase them.
• Customers are to use cashless payment wherever possible to minimise contact
• Asda is making regular announcements over tannoy reminding customers to comply with social distancing rules, and have erected signage, directional barriers and floor markings for guidance.
• They supermarket has also closed every other self-checkout till in stores.
• Asda in the process of installing perspex screens at checkouts, pharmacies and service desks.
• Colleagues are policing doors to maintain a safe number of customers in store at any one time.

Tesco

Tesco in Leith, Edinburgh (Google)

If you're shopping in Tesco there are a number of new rules that customers should be aware of.

Tesco's shopping rules:

• Tesco stores across the country are no longer opening for 24 hours and will shut overnight between 10pm and 6am to allow for restocking.

• Tesco has also introduced a purchase limit of three items on all products.

• The chain has removed multi-buy promotions such as buy 2 and get 3rd free as well.

• Plus all customers must comply with government guidance and try to keep a two-metre distance from other customers and staff.

Morrisons

Morrisons have established rules in line with government guidance.

The new shopping rules include:

• Morrisons is currently offering a one trolley per customer policy in line with the latest government advice that one member of each household should shop for essentials.
• There are also vinyl stickers on floors to indicate where to stand and queue so that shoppers can continue social distancing while in stores.
• Staff are also controlling the number of people in the store at any one time.

M&S

(Getty)

M&S have a strict rules for staff and customers to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

M&S' shopping rules:

• M&S says it is "conducting more filling outside of opening hours so that customers have all the space they need to shop, as well as all the goods needed on our shelves".
• Store workers are also to leave Food Halls and wash their hands every half hour and are allowed to keep hand sanitiser on them.
• Sneeze guards have been implemented at checkouts to keep staff safe.
• Customers are being asked not to use their Sparks cards.

Aldi

Aldi's rules are all about preventing panic buying and keeping customers as safe as possible.

Aldi's shopping rules:

• Customers can only buy four of any item, with a purchase limit of just two per customer on nappy and baby products.
• There are markers on the floors to help everyone keep the required safe distance apart.
• Customers should pay via contactless card or by Apple or Android Pay.
• Clear screens are being installed at checkouts to provide protection when you pay.
• Aldi is limiting the number of people allowed in stores at any one time and implementing a queuing systems if required.

Waitrose

Waitrose is implementing many of the measures at work in other stores around the country.

Waitrose's shopping rules:

• Waitrose has announced that it will now limit the number of people allowed in stores at a single time to ensure social distancing guidelines are met, dependant on how many tills there are in your local branch.
• Marshals will also be deployed outside to monitor queue levels and there are be stickers on the floors for social distancing guidance.

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For the latest guidance on coronavirus from Health Protection Scotland, click here.