When is over 70s shopping hour at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's? Every supermarket's lockdown and social distance rules

With lockdown in effect across the UK, shoppers are being urged to go out for food only when absolutely necessary in order to avoid panic buying and shelves being stripped at major supermarkets.
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As a result, major supermarkets have introduced rules to help tackle the issue, including around elderly shopping hours, NHS shopping hours, and social distancing measures.

Tesco

Tesco has closed all of its 24-hour stores between the hours of 10pm and 6am, in order to help workers fully stock the shelves for customers.

Morrisons and Asda have both introduced perspex screens at checkoutsMorrisons and Asda have both introduced perspex screens at checkouts
Morrisons and Asda have both introduced perspex screens at checkouts
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The chain has also introduced a three-item limit, per item, per customer in an attempt to push back against panic buyers clearing shelves. The aim is to allow all shoppers to have equal access to the essential items like bread, milk and indeed, toilet roll.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for an hour between 9am and 10am, the elderly and the vulnerable will be given priority to do their shopping.

Every Sunday, NHS staff will also be able to shop in peace for an hour ahead of the usual opening times. This however does not apply to Express stores.

Floor markings in car parks will help people maintain safe distances while queuing. The flow of people into stores will be limited, and hand sanitisers are being placed around the store.

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New floor markings are also being placed at tills to help people maintain a safe distance and protective perspex screens are being put at checkouts.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has set aside dedicated shopping hours for elderly and vulnerable customers.

Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday will see all their supermarkets dedicate 8am to 9am to their elderly and disabled customers, as well as their carers.

From Monday to Saturday, NHS and social care workers will be given a dedicated shopping slot between 7:30am and 8am.

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ASDAAsda had introduced special shopping hours for vulnerable and elderly customers, but it was only for one day.

In an announcement made on the Asda website, Asda said: “On Friday 20th March, from store opening until 9am, we are going to make our larger stores available for those vulnerable people - and those caring from them, to let them shop and get what they need.”

It’s unclear if Asda will be bringing this dedicated time back for elderly and vulnerable shoppers, but it has stated that they will be assisting the more vulnerable to get access to the online delivery service they run.

Priority access will also be given to NHS workers in the larger Asda stores every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 9am.

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The 24-hour stores are also being closed between 12am and 6am, to allow for more efficient restocking of the shelves.

The Leeds-based retailer said it has made limiting the spread of the virus its key priority and has made a raft of changes to its operations, including markers on the floor to help customers keep their distance, directional barriers, additional signage and announcements.

As well as limiting the number of customers it lets in, there will be additional colleagues at the front of store to greet customers and maintain safe numbers inside, with hand sanitiser available for customers to use when entering and departing.

Elsewhere customers are being asked to touch only what they purchase and that they use cashless payment methods wherever possible.

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MorrisonsMorrisons stated that they have increased the amount of stock being sent to their stores from their warehouses and that they are also extending their home delivery service so that they can deliver to more customers.

NHS staff will be given early access to Morrisons stores between 7am and 8am each day of the week apart from Sundays, but has not introduced any specific hours for the elderly and vulnerable.

Morrisons have also introduced temporary product limits on products that are in high demand, in an effort to allow more people to get access to those products. Online delivery has also been limited to three items per customer too.

If you have a delivery slot arranged with Morrisons, you should be aware that delivery drivers are not permitted to enter houses or hand over shopping bags on your doorstep.

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Morrisons is installing large perspex screens at all checkouts in all of its stores.

The clear screens will feature messages to explain this social distancing measure and direct customers to small waist-height windows for transactions. Morrisons stores will continue to take cash but customers will be encouraged to make contactless, Apple Pay or Google Pay card payments if possible.

Marks & Spencer

Older and vulnerable customers will be entitled to the first hour of opening at M&S on Mondays and Thursdays and NHS staff will be given access to their stores first thing on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The store has also put item caps on their stock, with a limit of two items per person.

Waitrose

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The first hour of opening will be dedicated to the elderly and the vulnerable, plus their carers.

A cap on antibacterial soaps, toilet roll, pasta and some canned goods has been introduced by Waitrose.

Aldi

The budget retailer has introduced a four item cap per item on shoppers.

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