Supermarket chain Sainsbury's is to temporarily close a number of of its smaller shops because of the outbreak of the new coronavirus Covid-19.
Sainsbury's says customer numbers have dropped so low at 12 of its branches that it will close those shops until further notice.
A Sainsbury's spokesman told The Star: "These are stores that have seen significantly fewer customers in recent days as people are working from home.
"All colleagues will move to neighbouring stores until these stores re-open."
It is not yet known which locations the stores are closing at.
It comes after Tesco revealed it is set to axe skimmed milk, multi-packs and some offers in its own bid to tackle the panic buying.
All the supermarket chains have changed their rules and opening hours in a response to the outbreak and the lockdown regulations.
Stores are installing anti-cough screens, limiting the number of people who can enter at any one time, enforcing two-mere social distancing and limiting how much you can buy.
Certain hours are set aside for shopping by the elderly and vulnerable or NHS and emergency workers.
