England has once again been plunged into a full lockdown – meaning only essential shops can remain open.

Pubs, restaurants and bars are completely shut, as well as clothes stores. Only a few shops which are deemed necessary are open to sell food, drink, medical and repair items.

Prime minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation last night and told the public to ‘stay at home’ as coronavirus cases spiral across England.

People are now only allowed to leave their homes for a limited number of reasons – including shopping for essentials, medical reasons or for exercise – in a similar way to the first strict lockdown in March last year.

Due to social distancing and panic buying shoppers saw huge queues outside supermarkets and limits placed on popular items.

The same issues are not expected this time around, but supermarkets are still prepared with Covid-secure measures to ensure shoppers stay safe and can get what they need.

Here’s what the main chain stores are doing for the third lockdown.

Aldi

A spokesperson said Aldi has introduced temporary buying limits on a small number of products across its UK stores to ensure good product availability.

‘Purchases of toilet roll, pasta, flour and eggs will be limited to three of each item,’ they said.

Aldi introduced a traffic light system for shoppers – displaying a green light when there is enough space for people to go inside – and was one of the first supermarkets to do so during the initial lockdown period.

The store asks shoppers to pick quieter times to do their shopping if possible, which is usually between the hours of 7pm and 10pm.

NHS and emergency services staff will be given priority access to the store.

Asda

According to the Mirror, Asda announced it would increase Covid-19 safety measures in the run-up to Christmas.

Asda has released a new virtual queueing app called ‘Qudini’ which is available for all its main stores and allows customers to wait in their cars until there is a slot available if the store is busy.

The 100 busiest stores will also have automatic counting technology to help customers social distance.

The supermarket has also added a protective antimicrobial coating to several ‘touch points’, such as fridge and freezer handles, in all its stores.

Co-op

A spokesperson for Co-op told Metro.co.uk: ‘The health and safety of Co-op colleagues and customers has remained our priority throughout the pandemic with strict measures in place, including the use of visors, protective screens, face coverings and social distancing, which are continually reviewed, to enable customers to shop quickly and safely.

‘We urge customers to continue to shop as they would normally, and to adhere to all Government advice and requirements.’

They added staff have not seen any panic buying following last night’s announcement, nor put in place any product purchase restrictions in store.

Lidl

Lidl says the latest lockdown announcement has not resulted in any changes at its stores, and it will continue to implement social distancing and Covid-secure measures.

‘This includes, positioning designated team members at entrances during peak times to manage the volume of people entering,’ a spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.

‘A raft of clear communication reminding customers of the importance of maintaining a two-metre distance from each other when shopping is also in place, including floor markings in stores to mark a safe distance, as well as regular audio announcements.

‘Dedicated cleaning stations continue to be made available at store entrances for customers with hand sanitiser, disinfectant and wipes, to use on their trolleys and baskets.’

They added they have signage to remind customers to wear face coverings while in Lidl stores.

There are currently no restrictions as there is good availability of products in stores, but they said this could change if customers start to bulk-buy.

‘Nonetheless, our policy in response to the changing circumstances is it’s at our store managers discretion, should customers start to bulk-buy, to limit the purchasing of specific items at that store,’ said the spokesperson.

Morrisons

There are currently no restrictions on – or plans to restrict – buying items in stores apart from those required by law, e.g. paracetamol.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: ‘There are a number of ways that customers can shop with us.

‘Since the first lockdown in March, we have increased our online operation fivefold as well as introducing lots of new ways to shop at Morrisons.

‘Our click and collect service is now available in 447 of our stores and customers can also use Amazon or Deliveroo.

‘Our wide range of food boxes can also be delivered directly to your door and customers who are self-isolating can use our doorstep delivery service where an order is placed over the phone, and delivered via your local store the next day.’

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s told Metro.co.uk: ‘Safety is our highest priority and all our stores continue to have a range of measures in place to keep customers and colleagues safe.

‘These measures range from Perspex safety screens between checkouts, additional cleaning, hand sanitiser as well as signs inside and throughout our stores to remind customers to socially distance.

‘We continue to remind customers to wear face coverings if they are able to and have greeters outside our supermarkets and busy convenience stores to limit the number of customers.’

They added the supermarket continues to encourage customers to shop alone where possible.

It currently has good availability of products with no restrictions, and asks people to shop as normal.

Tesco

The Mirror reports some Tesco stores have cordoned off non-essential aisles including items such a kitchenware and clothing.

A one-in one-out system has been implemented to limit the number of people in stores at any given time.

Customers are asked to follow social distancing rules and wear face coverings unless they are exempt for medical reasons.

Similarly to Aldi, a traffic light system has been implemented in some stores to let customers know when they can enter.

Waitrose

A spokesperson told Metro.co.uk staff are implementing a number of Covid-secure measures in its stores.

‘We’re asking customers to help us manage the number of people in our shops, by sending only one member of the household to do their shopping, if they possibly can,’ they added.

‘While this won’t be possible for everybody, we are very grateful for our customers’ support during this time of uncertainty.

‘We have robust hygiene measures in place and clean things like trolley handles, self service equipment scanners, tills, payment devices and weighing machines daily and at every reasonable opportunity.’

There are floor markers, protective screens at checkouts and customer number limits to ensure social distancing.

The chain has also installed hand sanitiser stations at the front of stores and asks people to wear face coverings unless they are exempt, and make use of contactless payment options (up to £45 limit) where possible.

Metro.co.uk has also contacted Asda and Tesco for further details.

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