In light of coronavirus social distancing guidelines, many UK shops and supermarkets have been encouraging shoppers to limit the number of members from each household entering stores.
However, some parents are now claiming that they've been left unable to enter stores as a result of having too many children with them, reports the Mirror.
Taking to social media, Dionne Angus wrote: "@AldiUK since when did you stop children going into your shops? My daughter tried to go shopping today with her 5 year old daughter but was told she couldn't go in with her daughter. Shes a single mother what is she supposed to do with her? I am beyond angry."
@Cocosb_ wrote: "@sainsburys so when did you decide to stop allowing children into your stores? Absolutely disgusted by the security staff and service at Charcot road nw9 store. I was refused entry with my son and security told me to leave my 7yr old outside ALONE! I am a single parent! #stress."
Sarah Jackson wrote to Tesco: "Bunch of heartless staff around my area. Told a SINGLE mother to leave her 5-year old child alone outside, because they aren't allowing children in the shop. and because she refused, wouldn't allow her in."
The supermarkets have now cleared things up, and have confirmed their *actual* rules when it comes to taking children to stores.
Aldi has said it has not restrictions on people shopping with family members, but it has asked customers to try to ensure that one person per household does the shopping alone where possible.
Tesco said it has not placed a ban on children but is trying to encourage people to shop with no more than one other person.
Sainsbury's has said the same thing.
Asda said: "You may have seen posts being shared on social media suggesting that families with children won't be allowed into our stores from tomorrow. This isn't the case.
"Everyone in the UK is being asked by the Government to shop sensibly and only when required. Where needed, we are limiting the total number of shoppers we allow into a store at any one time.
"If possible, it would help us greatly if you could bring fewer family members when visiting our stores. This will help us maintain social distancing guidelines we already have in place."
