Tesco SCRAPS one way systems on aisle floors and is increasing the number of customers allowed inside stores as supermarket eases its social distancing restrictions
- The supermarket will continue to enforce a two-metre gap between customers
- Outside queues are set to decrease as more customers are allowed inside stores
- The number of customers allowed inside branches will be decided by managers
Tesco has scrapped one way systems on aisle floors as the supermarket eases social distancing restrictions.
The supermarket announced it will be increasing the number of customers allowed inside stores though it will still ask shoppers to stay two metres apart.
Supermarkets across the UK were forced to introduce rules keeping customers safe when the coronavirus lockdown first came into place in March.
The Government’s bid to get more business open last Saturday has allowed Tesco to reduce queues outside by introducing more customers inside.
Tesco has scrapped one way systems on aisle floors as the supermarket eases social distancing restrictions, including reducing the two-metre gap between customers to one metre
Tesco’s Express and Metro stores have returned to their usual opening times between 6am or 7am until 11pm or midnight
Tesco, which has around 3,700 UK stores, joined other supermarkets in enforcing one-way queues and a new one-in-one-out entry plan in March.
Other supermarkets including Aldi introduced a traffic light system at entrances to keep to the two-metre social distancing gap.
Tesco said it will monitor how many customers visit now measures have been relaxed but some stores are now allowing more people inside at one time.
The number of customers allowed in each branch will be decided by store managers, so will vary across the country.
Tesco told The Sun it has reviewed social distancing measures and will continue to enforce a two-metre gap between customers despite the Government allowing businesses to relax the distance to one metre last Saturday.
The supermarket will continue to have floor markings in place to remind shoppers to social distance.
It will also increase its 80-item limit per customer to 95 items after the Government relaxed stockpiling limits that were introduced due to panic buying at the start of lockdown.
Essential items such as loo roll and tinned beans had previously been capped at just two per person across all supermarkets.
Tesco will continue to have a three-per-person limit on face coverings, antibacterial hand wash, antibacterial wipes, flour, and eggs, in line with Government rules.
The supermarket’s Express and Metro stores have also returned to their usual opening times between 6am or 7am until 11pm or midnight.
Opening hours were reduced to 6am until 10pm at the start of lockdown to help staff stock up shelves while social distancing.
Last month, Tesco announced its sales rose 8.2 per cent to £12.21 billion in the first quarter to May 30, in a period almost entirely covered by lockdown.
Chief Executive David Lewis said: ‘Through a very challenging period for everyone, Tesco colleagues have gone above and beyond, and I’m extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.
‘Their selfless efforts, combined with our embedded strategic advantages in stores and online, have helped to ensure that everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.
Last month, Tesco announced its sales rose 8.2 per cent to £12.21 billion in the first quarter to May 30, in a period almost entirely covered by lockdown
‘In just five weeks, we doubled our online capacity to help support our most vulnerable customers and transformed our stores with extensive social distancing measures so that everyone who was able to shop in store could do so safely.
‘The costs of doing this have been significant and only partly offset by business rates relief and increased volume.
‘We see the balance as an investment in supporting our customers at a time when they need it most.’
Meanwhile, Asda has confirmed it will not be changing its social distancing rules in the immediate term and will continue to employ a one-way system.