Supermarket rules have constantly been changing since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
Social distancing measures are currently in place, with limited numbers of shoppers allowed into stores at any one time, markers laid out and protective screens installed at tills.
This comes after limits were imposed on how much people could buy following scenes of stockpiling in the initial stages of the crisis. Many of these restrictions have now been lifted.
With so many changes, here’s a round-up of all the latest rules for shoppers issued by the big supermarket chains, including Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Morrisons.
Tesco
Supermarket giant Tesco has been increasing the number of online delivery slots and setting aside spaces for vulnerable shoppers who can’t get out.
For those who do go to Tesco stores, a number of rules have been put in place, including:
- Staff directing customers where to park their cars to help limit the number of people in-store
- Customers may be asked to wait in their cars before going inside, particularly in bad weather, with staff telling them when it’s their turn
- Floor markings outside entrances to help queuing shoppers stay 2m a part
- Limiting the number of people entering stores where necessary to avoid crowding
- Hand sanitisers placed around the store for customers and staff, with extra cleaning products for wiping down trolleys and baskets
- One-way aisle systems
- Separate entrances and exits where possible
- People encouraged to shop alone where possible
- Shoppers to visit stores where possible to leave online slots free for vulnerable people who can’t visit
Asda
Asda has temporarily reduced its opening times, with most stores that were traditionally open 24 hours a day now open 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday. All store opening times are on the Asda Store Locator.
Larger stores give NHS staff and care workers dedicated hours for them to do their shopping: 8am-9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9am-10am on Sunday.
Asda is one of two stores to introduce a 'no touch' policy, urging customers to only pick up items they intend to buy.
Aldi
Aldi has said that NHS, police and fire service workers with valid ID on them have priority in queues at all times.
Most stores are also open until 10pm, and Aldi bosses have been encouraging people to visit at quieter times.
Busiest times are said to be late morning with the quieter periods between 7pm and 10pm. Aldi has also asked customers to only buy what they need as shelves are replenished every day, meaning there's no need for stockpiling.
Like Asda, Aldi has also asked customers to only touch items they plan to buy, to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Other changes include 2m distance markers on the floors at checkouts, and trolley and basket cleaning stations.
Food parcels are also being sold online now, but Aldi remains primarily an in-store experience.
Morrisons
NHS staff with their badges have priority hours at Morrisons, being allowed to shop from 6am-7am Monday to Saturday and from 9am on Sundays.
The number of people being allowed in is being controlled, and once in a one trolley per customer rule is in place. This means that only one member of each household should be visiting.
Markers have also been placed on the floor to help keep social distancing rules in place.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s shoppers are being asked to visit throughout the day in a bid to avoid busy times such as mornings.
The supermarket is also limiting the number of people inside at any one time, with queuing systems in place and floor markers laid out to help keep people 2m apart.
It’s also urging households to only send one adult where possible.
Once inside, customers will find fewer checkouts open and encouragement to pay by card, ideally only using cash at self-service tills.
Customers can also use Sainsbury’s’ SmartShop on their phones, scanning items as they go to limit interaction and queues at tills.
Lidl
Crowd control measures - which include security guards or staff at entrances during the busiest times to monitor the number of shoppers inside - are in place at Lidl stores.
Lidl has also introduced a traffic light system to indicate how busy stores are, with 8am-11am listed as the busiest, 11am-2pm having an average number of people and 2pm onwards listed as the quietest.
Purchasing restrictions have been lifted, allowing customers to purchase “usual household” quantities.
