All the main supermarkets remain open during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and each have introduced new measures to protect their shoppers and staff.  

For most of us, the whole concept of online food shopping has gone completely out of the window with not a slot in site for 3 – 4 weeks and so off to the shops we must go!

All of the stores have rightly allocated specific shopping hours for both the elderly/vulnerable as well as health workers.

Strict new measures have been given by the government to tackle the spread of the virus including instructing people to only leave home to exercise once a day, travel to and from work  - where this is absolutely necessary, shop for essential items or fulfil any medical or care needs.

Research has shown that Covid-19 can survive for up to 72 hours on hard surfaces like plastic and stainless steel. The COVID-19 virus was found more stable on plastic and stainless steel than copper and cardboard.On copper, the researchers did not find any coronaviruses after four hours after being applied.  On Cardboard, the virus was no longer present after 24 hours since being applied.

Therefore given people touch things, shoppers should try and wear gloves do to do their shop for those essential items whilst taking extra care to not touch their faces

As soon as you hit home, wash your hands for 20 seconds to prevent the spread of the virus and after you have put the shopping away, wash those hands once again! (remember to take the gloves off first!)

So where should we shop and what are the big supermarkets offering during this time?  What have they put into place that we need to know?

With all supermarkets, their trading hours have all changed and those who were 24 hours are no longer, so always check out the opening times before you set off armed with your own PPE and bags for life!