SUPERMARKETS have adjusted to the coronavirus lockdown by adopting new measures, including reducing opening hours, to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
But it's important to know when to go so you can beat the queues. So here's the latest on when stores are open..
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What are the new supermarket opening hours?
Several UK supermarkets are operating slightly different trading times due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Tesco, Waitrose and other branches are closing earlier to allow staff enough time to keep shelves replenished.
They have also scheduled special dedicated shopping hours for pensioners, the vulnerable, NHS workers and paramedics.
There are social distancing measures in place in most stores, such as one-in-one-out policies and spaced out queuing, as well as the closure of delis.
Asda
Asda opening hours have been reduced to 8am to 8pm or 8am to 10pm – find your local here.
This allows workers to restock, as well as for cleaning to take place.
Cafes and pizza counters remain closed.
Morrisons
Morrisons has extended its opening hours since April 14, 2020, so shoppers can visit during quieter times of the day.
The stores across the UK will now open from 7am until 8pm, Monday to Saturday – find your local here.
Aldi
Aldi is extending its opening times to allow more customers to shop while keeping social distancing rules.
Instead of closing at 8pm to allow for the restocking of shelves, the store is now remaining open until 10pm -find your local here.
The website said: "From Tuesday 14th April, we will be extending our opening hours until 10pm Monday to Saturday. Our shelves are now well-stocked throughout the day.
"Our busiest time is first thing in the morning, so by extending our hours you have more time to shop safely.
"Normal Sunday opening hours remain in place."
Usual Sunday hours differ, with stores opening from 10pm to 4pm. Scottish Sunday hours are 9am to 6pm.
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Co-op
Most stores are now open from 7am to 8pm.
Check what time you can shop at your local branch with the online shop finder tool.
Stores with petrol stations will now close at 11pm.
Iceland
Stores open from 9am or 10am and close at 6pm or 7pm.
Some are operating on reduced hours amid the pandemic – find your local here.
Lidl
The majority of Lidl stores open from 7am or 8am until 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am until 4pm on Sundays – find your local here.
Most opening hours remain unchanged, but some local stores may be operating different times to deal with the crisis.
M&S
Store opening times vary between 6am and 9am – find your local here.
The store has introduced stringent hygiene measures to ensure safe shopping for all.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's stores open between 8am and 8pm on weekdays from March 23.
Sunday opening hours will remain the same – find your local here.
Tesco
Tesco has made changes to its 24 hour stores – find your local here.
Trading hours will now be 6am to 10pm, allowing staff more time to restock the shelves for the morning rush.
Stores have closed all meat, fish, deli and salad counters.
Waitrose
Waitrose opening times vary from 7am to 8am, and some stores will be closing an hour early – find your local here.
Stores are opening as normal with the exception of some in John Lewis shops.
What are the special hours for the elderly and vulnerable?
Very elderly and vulnerable people are ordered to self-isolate for 12 weeks.
In order to help, stores have been dedicating "silver hours" to allow over 70s to do their shopping more safely and in peace while food parcel deliveries are being set up by distributors and councils.
Supermarket measures are aimed at shielding the elderly from the effects of panic buying, which has seen essential products stripped from the shelves.
Please note that this is a general overview. Double-check what time your local shop is open by clicking the links to their store locators if you are in doubt as they may vary depending on location.
Here's our updated list on Silver Hour times:
- Aldi is opening 30 minutes early from Monday to Saturday for the elderly (over 70) and vulnerable. In England and Wales, this is for browsing only. In Scotland, purchases can be made during this time.
- Asda has no dedicated hours set for the elderly and vulnerable as yet. However, Asda has created a special Volunteer Shopping Card for those shopping for these groups.
- Co-op has a dedicated shopping hour for vulnerable customers, those that care for them and NHS workers from 8am to 9am Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 11am on Sundays in all stores.
- Iceland is offering "priority hours" that vary between stores. It is not clear when these generally are but you can find out what your local Iceland is doing here. The store is prioritising the elderly for online deliveries.
- Lidl is allowing only pensioners in for the first two hours in all stores across Ireland – but remain open as usual, with safety measures in-store, but no UK silver hour. Unlike other supermarkets, Lidl has yet to implement a "silver hour" to its changes – which allows for elderly and vulnerable shoppers to scout the shelves before everyone else.
- M&S has said that the first opening hour (generally 8am to 9am, but please check locally) will be dedicated to elderly and vulnerable customers and their carers on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Morrisons is not providing silver hours but has hired Marie Curie and CLIC Sargent workers to provide more help in-store to elderly and vulnerable customers. It has also focused on sending £35 food boxes to those who are self-isolating.
- Sainsbury's is opening their doors to elderly and vulnerable customers from 8-9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They are also prioritising seniors for online shopping.
- Tesco has all stores (except Express stores) prioritising the elderly and most vulnerable for one hour between 9am and 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Waitrose will allow only elderly people to shop for the first hour of opening at supermarket stores (generally from 7 or 8am, but please check as they really do vary) and are working on special online delivery slots for over 70s.
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Are there special hours for NHS and emergency workers?
NHS and emergency workers and carers are generally being given priority, but need to bring their photo ID's because some very sad people have been trying to abuse the system.
Here's our updated list on NHS, emergency worker and carer times:
- Aldi is giving priority ahead of queues into stores to key workers in the NHS, Police and Fire Service upon showing a valid ID. This is in addition to early access on a Sunday, where they can enter stores 30 minutes prior to opening.
- Asda gives NHS workers priority in store on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8am and 9am.
- Co-op has a dedicated shopping hour for carers, the vulnerable and NHS workers from 8am to 9am Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 11am on Sundays in all stores.
- Iceland has dedicated the last hour of trade in stores to NHS staff with ID. In its food warehouse stores, NHS workers will be allowed early access for the first-hour trading at 7am. Again, this varies by stores. You can find out what your local Iceland is doing here.
- Lidl is working with Royal Voluntary Service to donate fresh fruit and vegetable bags to hospital sites and frontline health workers. There are no special measures for NHS staff in-store.
- M&S has dedicated the first hour of trading on Tuesdays and Fridays (generally 8am to 9am, but please check locally).
- Morrisons' NHS hour at all of its stores is Monday to Saturday from 7am to 8pm. Sundays are open at 9am for NHS workers to shop, with other customers allowed to shop from 9.30am
- Sainsbury's NHS and social care workers will be able to shop in supermarkets for 30 minutes before they open, from 7.30am to 8am, from Monday to Saturday.
- Tesco lets NHS workers have access to a dedicated hour every Sunday before checkouts open, as well as 9am-10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some stores are also giving nurses flowers, which is a nice touch.
- Waitrose is setting aside hard-to-find and essential products, and giving a priority checkout service to NHS workers (generally from 7 or 8am, but please check as they really do vary). John Lewis is sending goodies to hospitals too, including "Easter treats", pillows, hand cream and phone chargers.
Which supermarkets do online delivery?
All supermarkets, except Lidl, are providing a home delivery service of some sort, but slots are in short supply.
Able-bodied people who are not self-isolating are encouraged not to use home delivery services so slots that are in short supply can go to the elderly, vulnerable and emergency workers working tough shifts.
If you can help out your vulnerable neighbours by getting their shopping for them then that will relieve a lot of stress on delivery services too.
Most supermarkets will be emailing elderly and vulnerable customers to help them get special slots and prioritisation.
Please add a note to warn delivery drivers if you are self-isolating when placing your order.
The following supermarkets and companies do home delivery, which you can find on their websites:
- Abel & Cole do weekly grocery boxes with a £12 minimum order and £1.25 delivery fee.
- Amazon are doing grocery deliveries with a £40 minimum spend under Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh.
- Aldi has put restrictions on wine online due to unprecedented demand. Aldi's grocery items are not available online.
- Asda £40 minimum spend. There are extremely limited spaces until mid April.
- Co-op has a 20 item cap on online deliveries and is hiring to increase capacity.
- Deliveroo is now doing basic grocery shopping.
- HelloFresh is providing meal kits that include nutritional information and pre-measured ingredients.
- Iceland minimum spend is £25, limited to OAPs and self isolating and disabled people up until April 6.
- Mindful Chef is a site that encourages healthy eating and does 16 recipe packs a week.
- Morrisons is offering £35 twenty item boxes of essentials, including bread, milk and toilet roll that has been designed to feed two adults for a week. Delivery slots are overwhelmed at the moment and online products are restricted to three per customer.
- Sainsbury's currently has no slots available for delivery or click and collect for the next three weeks, but Sainsbury’s has prioritised delivery slots for elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers who may be able to get priority slots by calling 0800 953 4988.
- Tesco is rammed for the next few weeks, but is prioritising the vulnerable and elderly with special slots. They have also added 120,000 Click&Collect slots and expect to add 100,000 delivery slots over the coming weeks.
- Uber Eats will get you groceries too.
- Waitrose has started to offer elderly and vulnerable customers priority access to waitrose.com delivery slots.
Exceptions:
- Ocado is only delivering to existing customers.
- M&S has stopped taking food deliveries but is still delivering clothes and homeware. Furniture will be left at the door due to social distancing measures.
How long will these special hours last for?
Some stores have already extended their opening hours since the original restrictions after lockdown.
However, stores are expected to keep to special hours while stay at home measures are still in place.
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