Lockdown rules for supermarket shopping at Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco and Asda

As the third national lockdown comes into force a trip to the supermarket is one of the few things we are allowed to do – but each store has rules of its own.
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The Government says people must not leave, or be outside of their home except where necessary, however people may go out to shop for basic necessities.

Face masks and hand sanitiser is now customary when making a trip to the supermarket but stores have tightened measures in line with the new restrictions.

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Supermarket lockdown rules for Sainsbury's, Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, ALDI, Lidl and the Co-op. Picture: Google MapsSupermarket lockdown rules for Sainsbury's, Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, ALDI, Lidl and the Co-op. Picture: Google Maps
Supermarket lockdown rules for Sainsbury's, Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, ALDI, Lidl and the Co-op. Picture: Google Maps

Aldi

Aldi has confirmed that every store will remain open as normal during this time and bosses have reassured customers that regular deliveries mean that they do not need to bulk buy.

For vulnerable and elderly customers, stores remain open 30 minutes prior to their usual opening times, from Monday to Saturday, to ensure that you can shop as safely as possible.

Priority access is also in place for Blue Light card holders, including NHS and social care workers, which gives access to the store 30 minutes before normal opening on Sundays in addition to priority access at all other times.

South Shields Asda queues during the first coronavirus lockdown.South Shields Asda queues during the first coronavirus lockdown.
South Shields Asda queues during the first coronavirus lockdown.
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All stores have a traffic light system at entrances to ensure a safe number of people can shop at any one time, whilst maintaining social distancing.

Protective screens are also in place at checkouts and stores have sanitisation stations for customer use.

There are also clear signs and social distancing markers advising how to shop safely.

Customers are encouraged to shop alone and to pay by contactless or card when possible.

Lidl

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During peak hours a designated staff member will be positioned at the entrance of the store to make sure the number of people shopping at one time remains within a safe limit.

Dedicated cleaning stations are located at the entrance of the store for customers to sanitise their trolley or basket.

When in the store floor markings and signs are in place to help shoppers keep their distance.

At checkouts protective screens are in place to keep staff and customers safe.

Contactless card payments are encouraged.

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Staff and customers should wear face coverings, masks are available on entering the store which can be bought later.

Asda

Asda safety marshals are on duty at the front of every store to manage customer numbers and signage is in place to encourage customers to respect social distancing.

Customers are also asked to shop solo to ease congestion in stores.

Asda’s virtual queuing app ‘Qudini’ is now available in all 421 superstores allowing customers to wait in the comfort of their cars for a slot if the store is busy.

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Automatic counting technology has been installed in Asda’s 100 busiest stores to control access and help customers to socially distance.

A protective antimicrobial coating is being added to customer ‘touch points’ in stores such as fridge and freezer handles and the checkout areas.

The coating, which provides a protective film that helps to kill bacteria and viruses, is also being applied to all basket and trolley handles.

Morrisons

Chief executive David Potts Potts said that, despite the introduction of new national lockdowns in England and Scotland, the supermarket will not introduce limits on certain products initially.

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“We haven’t got limits on things like pasta and flour and all of those things that people seem to stock up on,” he said.

“I think we’ll see how the British people handle the news. Clearly we can turn it on fairly sharpish and it’s really making sure that everyone has stock.”

A National Health Service Hour has been introduced at all of our stores at the beginning of every day, Monday to Saturday, from 6am to 7am.

It gives priority access to NHS workers who will be met by a Morrisons colleague at the clearly marked staff entrance to welcome workers with an NHS badge.

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Early shopping access will also be given to NHS staff at 9am on Sundays, before opening at 9.30am for all other customers to shop normally.

NHS staff will also receive a 10% discount and can use the NHS food boxes service to collect items within hospital car parks.

The doorstep delivery service for the elderly and vulnerable is continuing to operate, to place an order call 0345 611 6111 and select option 5.

Sainsbury’s

Where possible only one customer per household is asked to visit the store and shoppers are asked to only buy what they need to ensure there is enough food for everyone.

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Socially distanced queuing systems will continue to be in place outside our stores, supported by a greeter at the front of stores at busier times of day and customers are asked to queue two metres apart.

Elderly and vulnerable customers and NHS and care workers with an NHS ID are given priority access to the shop when there are queues.

The store has also increased the number of home delivery and Click and Collect slots available and are on track to offer 750,000 weekly slots.

As a result, both our existing customers and new customers have access to more slots.

Tesco

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Only one person from each household is allowed in-store to do their shopping, with the exception of children with an adult.

This is to reduce the number of people in-store at any one time and help maintain social distancing measures.

A priority shopping hour is available for NHS workers and the elderly or vulnerable every Wednesday and Sunday between 9am-10am.

Reduced opening times to allow stores to be cleaned and restocked will see shops now close at 10pm.

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Floor markings and hand sanitiser stations are in place around stores along with extra cleaning products to wipe down your trolley or basket.

Customers are asked to pay by card where possible.

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