Asda and Lidl urge customers not to touch items

Supermarket rules are similar across all retailers but with rules around touching food and packages in-store being unclear, Asda and Lidl have asked customers to help reduce the amount of times they are touching food items in-store.

There are also changes to the bakery and customers are being asked to use the disposable gloves when picking up a food item.

Lidl said: “Whilst we always urge customers to use the tongs provided in our bakery, as a temporary measure, you’ll also notice there are disposable gloves for you to use in order to bag loose items yourself, safely.

“We’re continuing to monitor this area of our store, and will change the way we’re doing things if necessary.”

The supermarket also issued a notice regarding touching products while shopping in-store.

The World Health Organisation says that there is no current evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food or food packaging and that it is not necessary to disinfect food packaging materials.

However it is always advised that hands should be properly washed before handling food packages and before eating.

The majority of supermarkets are also not allowing anyone into stores unless wearing a face mask unless the customer is medically exempt.

Aldi is offering customers free masks for those who forget to bring one but this is for a limited time only.

The discount retailer said: “Anyone without a medical exemption that refuses to wear a mask is not permitted to enter an Aldi store.”

Asda also has packets of disposable masks available in every store entrance for customers who have forgotten theirs, and they can be paid for at the till once they have completed their shopping.