Coronavirus: New changes to supermarket opening hours and rules at Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi and Asda coming into force from Monday

The biggest announcements come from Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi and Asda- with one chain implementing ‘one-way aisles’ and others extending their opening hours and removing purchasing limits.

Here are the changes which are correct as of Sunday, April 19:

MORRISONS

Yesterday (April 18) Morrisons extended its opening hours at the majority of its stores from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am to 4pm on Sundays.

NHS workers will still be able to access a dedicated shopping time at the store from 6am to 7am on weekdays and 9am to 9.30pm on Sundays.

ALDI

Aldi has also extended its opening hours until 10pm.

A spokesperson said: "Our shelves are now well stocked throughout the day, so there is no need to visit stores first thing in the morning.

"In fact, from Tuesday, April 14, we will be extending our opening hours in almost all of our stores so you can shop until 10pm Monday to Saturday, when our stores are quieter. Normal Sunday opening hours (10am to 4pm) remain in place."

Aldi has opted to give priority access to emergency workers at any time of the day.

That means that as people queue to access a store (due to social distancing rules meaning that fewer customers are allowed in at once) NHS staff and 999 workers will be able to come to the front.

Aldi is not providing dedicated hours for the elderly, but said it was working with Neighbourly and Age UK to support older customers.

To check your local store, visit: aldi.co.uk

TESCO

Tesco has introduced one-way aisles and a ‘one in, one out’ system across many of its stores as part of ongoing measures.

Most stores are operating from 8am to 10pm and removing purchasing limits as stock returns to normal.

Tesco introduced a special shopping hour for its workers and NHS staff. Those eligible will be able to browse an hour before traditional shop opening hours on Sundays, and will have an hour between 9am and 10am to shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays at all stores except for Express stores.

In a statement, Tesco said: "All we ask is that they bring a form of ID with them to store, such as an NHS staff card.”

Elderly and vulnerable priority time runs at larger stores on Fridays from 9am-10am, Mondays from 9am-10am and Wednesdays from 9am-10am.

Times can vary and may change, so check your local Tesco store, visit: tesco.com/store-locator/uk/

ASDA

Asda stores have returned to normal hours.

The retailer posted on Twitter to explain they were extending opening hours.

"Most of our stores are now open for longer to allow you more time to shop with us – stores will now be open Monday - Saturday 8am - 10pm,” the post read.

“Normal Sunday trading hours will remain the same."

NHS workers and carers are being prioritised at larger stores every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 9am. As well as Sundays 9am to 10am for browsing.

Check opening times here https://storelocator.asda.com/

WAITROSE

Waitrose currently have a measures in place for the elderly, the vulnerable and those who look after them, with a prioritised shopping hour every day- first opening hour of the shop.

Waitrose stores have set aside a proportion of hard-to-find and essential products exclusively for NHS staff, on production of an NHS card.

It is also giving NHS staff priority access to shops and checkouts, to ensure they are able to get through as quickly and easily as possible.

The shop’s opening hours remain the same.

To check opening hours for your local store, visit: waitrose.com/

LIDL

Lidl has been opening an hour earlier than usual in order to let elderly customers do their shopping.

To check the opening times of your local Lidl, visit: lidl.co.uk/about-us/store-finder-opening-hours

SAINSBURY’S

The majority of larger stores are open 8am-8pm- local stores may be open much later.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, all of the chain’s supermarkets will dedicate the hour of 8am - 9am to serving elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers.

NHS ID holders have priority Monday to Saturday, from 7.30am to 8am.

To find the opening hours for your local store, visit stores.sainsburys.co.uk

ICELAND

Iceland said it would be opening its supermarkets early for elderly customers to visit before stores open to the public.

Each day, elderly shoppers can now visit between 8am - 9am to get their shopping first.

The final hour of trading Monday to Saturday will also be for NHS staff only.

Visit iceland.co.uk to check your local store’s opening times.

CO-OP

Co-op is offering priority shopping to the vulnerable and those who care for them from Monday to Saturday 8am - 9am and Sunday 10am – 11am.

To check opening hours for your local store, visit: finder.coop.co.uk/food

MARKS AND SPENCER

M&S has dedicated the first hour of every Tuesday and Friday morning to NHS and emergency service workers.

To check opening hours for your local store, visit: marksandspencer.com/

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