This weekend, a Lidl branch in the North East became the first UK supermarket to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After an unknown member of staff tested positive for covid-19, the store closed its doors to the public.
Acording to the Mirror, shoppers said the Middlesbrough branch on Cargo Fleet Lane closed its doors on Friday, and remained closed over the weekend due to a shortage of staff amid the outbreak.
Lidl has since said it wants to reopen the store as soon as possible, and has confirmed that safety measures are in force in its shops.
In a statement to shoppers, the German supermarket said: "All supermarkets are currently operating under exceptional circumstances, and the safety of our colleagues and customers is critical to us.
"We have been in touch with those members of our team that have tested positive for Covid-19, to offer our support and wish them a speedy recovery.
"We fully understand that this is a concerning and difficult time, not only for our own workforce but for the whole country.
"We have been closely following government advice throughout this period and have stringent measures in place across all of our business areas to protect colleagues and customers.
"Our teams are all playing a crucial role in continuing to feed communities across the country. It is therefore vitally important that we reopen the store as soon as we can, to ensure that households have access to the essential food and products they need."
