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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
James Rodger & Sophie Law

Quietest time to visit supermarkets during coronavirus lockdown

Supermarkets have introduced drastic new measures to stop too many people shopping at once amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Shops across the country are operating a "one in, one out" policy and have security guards manning the doors.

Some retail giants have even stopped families from shopping together, including Waitrose which banned couples in stores this week.

To combat stockpiling and panic-buying, supermarkets have restricted certain items such as toilet paper and long-life milk, Birmingham Live reports.

Amid the raft of new measures, a trip to the shops may prove stressful for some.

And with the virus still spreading rapidly, many may feel nervous going to the shops in case they spread it to vulnerable or elderly people in their household.

So, when is best to visit? One supermarket has revealed all.

Posting on social media, Morrisons said they're "generally less busy later in the day."

On Twitter, the supermarket wrote: "Thank you to our customers for continuing to shop considerately.

"We're generally less busy later in the day so if you'd like to shop when it's quieter, and are able to, try visiting us in the afternoon to get the essentials you need."

Morrisons is open until 8pm Monday to Saturday, with 7am to 8am put aside for NHS staff.

Sunday opening times have also changed and a new statement has been posted on the Morrisons website.

It read: "On Sundays we will open at 9am for our very hard working NHS workers to shop.

"We will open at 9.30am for all other customers to shop normally.

The Google data shoppers can use (Google)

"Therefore, during the period of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Sunday browsing hour is suspended, as you can shop normally from 9.30am each Sunday."

And what about the rest? Well, a nifty Google trick reveals all.

If you search for your local supermarket, you will be able find out when it's most popular with shoppers.

It will show you traffic volumes of people based on an average score, as well "live" data.

Simply search the shop you want to visit, and check the data Google carries, with the blue showing the average amount of shoppers, and the pink showing the number of people in the store at the time you're looking.

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