Supermarkets in Sudbury introduce restrictions to shopper numbers amid coronavirus pandemic

Waitrose is limiting customer numbers and marshalling queues outside shops in a bid to help tackle the spread of coronavirus.

The supermarket chain, which has a store off Station Road in Sudbury, this week announced a raft of new measures to “dramatically change how people shop” in response to the Government’s plea for social distancing.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco, both of which operate shops in the town, are also reviewing measures for managing queueing safely.

From Tuesday, Waitrose started restricting the number of customers allowed in at any one time.

The limits will be specific to each branch, based on the number of tills open in the individual store.

A spokesman said: “Shop managers will use their judgment on customer numbers and, when the shop is at capacity to manage social distancing, will operate a one in, one out policy.”

Meanwhile, marshals will help manage queues outside stores and, if necessary, remind customers to respect the two-metre social distancing rule.

There will be signage and a coned area instructing shoppers to queue a safe distance apart from each other outside stores.

Floor signage is being introduced in all Waitrose stores, keeping shoppers two metres apart when queueing at checkouts.

These instructions will read: “Leave space. Leave safe. Help us to protect you.”

In a bid to protect staff from “infected moisture droplets”, new checkout screens have been ordered. Where two checkouts are back to back, one will close.

Customers are being encouraged to pay via contactless and use self-service tills.

Waitrose is also part of discussions to increase the contactless limit from £30 to £45.

In Waitrose stores, customers are able to buy three of any specific grocery item, and a maximum of any two packets of toilet roll.

Exclusions to this include fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as Easter confectionery, beers, wines, cider and spirits.

Sainsbury’s will soon have reminders displayed throughout stores to keep a safe distance.

A spokesman said: “We are also actively reviewing the best options for queuing systems inside and outside our stores and will implement the safest measures as soon as we can.”

Tesco has queuing barriers at its larger stores and will review what further measures need to be taken to support social distancing inside and outside its shops.