The new rule of six indoors means people will be allowed to gather inside pubs and restaurants from this week – however, supermarkets are still urging customers to shop alone.
Amid warnings of a rising Indian variant, and the return of shielding customers to stores last month, people are being warned to shop alone to avoid any unnecessary crowing and long queues.
Supermarket giant Tesco for instance, is still encouraging customers to shop one person per trolley.
We’ve run through the rules you need to know below – check if store before you head out.
Tesco
Tesco is encouraging a ‘one person per trolley’ rule to limit shopper numbers in store.
The supermarket has also asked customers to only shop when they need to.
In a statement, it said: “Please shop alone unless you’re a carer or with children.
“We also encourage you to shop only when you need to, in line with Government guidance to stay at home.”
Morrisons
Morrisons says customers should shop with as few people as possible and adhere to social distancing and one-way signs in stores.
Official Government guidance outlining the rules when it comes to indoor spaces said: “You must not meet indoors with anybody you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them (if you are eligible), or another legal exemption applies.”
However, customers are permitted to meet up to 30 people outside, as well as six in indoor seating areas of pubs and restaurants.
Asda
Asda has hired ‘safety marshals’ to remind shoppers of the Government guidelines.
It also says customers should hand sanitise upon entry and be mindful of social distancing at kiosks an between aisles.
To help reduce contact in stores Asda also rolled out ‘Scan and Go’ mobile to all of its supermarkets, and superstores.
Customers can use their own device to scan their shopping and pack as they go.
Aldi
Aldi stores have social distancing measures in place and are still asking customers to shop alone where possible.
The supermarket said earlier this year: “We are encouraging all customers to try and reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores.”
Children are permitted to shop with parents or carers.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury's also has measures in place to limit the number of customers entering the store.
Like Tesco, it has encouraged shoppers to shop alone, saying: “To help manage the number of customers in our stores, you must shop on your own.”
The supermarket added that it will “challenge customers who are shopping in groups”.
Customers must still wear face coverings when entering Sainsbury’s and any other supermarket.
Lidl
Lidl says if you have forgotten a face covering, staff will provide you with one for free at the entrance of stores.
Lidl's website says: “Wearing a face covering in our stores is mandatory in Scotland, England and Wales in line with government regulations, to help keep everyone safe.
“A member of security may remind customers of the requirement to wear a face covering in our stores. However, we understand that some customers are exempt from doing so.
“Forgotten your mask? Don’t worry, these are available to pick up at the entrance of our stores, to then purchase at the till when you complete your shop.”
It added that customers may be asked to remove their face covering for identity purposes when purchasing age-restricted products.
For bakery items and fresh fruits and vegetables, it said: “You’ll also notice there are disposable gloves for you to use in order to bag loose items yourself, safely.
“The next time you shop with us, you’ll notice we’ve put trolley and basket cleaning stations in place, along with antiviral disinfectant and hand sanitiser for sanitising your hands.
“We’d like to ask you to please clean your basket or trolley before you start your shop. This will help ensure we keep you and our team members as safe as we can.
“Please pay safely using contactless whenever possible, or card payments for transactions over £45.”
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