This is what supermarkets are doing to help the elderly and vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak

These are the changes the biggest supermarket chains have implemented in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tesco

In a bid to help the vulnerable get access to essentials, all Tesco stores (except Express stores) will be prioritise elderly and vulnerable shoppers for an hour between 9am and 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Tesco has closed all of its 24-hour stores between the hours of 10pm and 6am, in order to help workers fully stock the shelves for customers.

For those with home deliveries booked, there is a self isolating option, which instructs the driver to leave your order on the doorstep to allow for a contact free delivery.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has set aside dedicated shopping hours for elderly and vulnerable customers.Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday will see all their supermarkets dedicate 8am to 9am to their elderly and disabled customers, as well as their carers.

From Monday to Saturday, NHS and social care workers will be given a dedicated shopping slot between 7:30am and 8am.

Mike Coupe, CEO of Sainsbury’s, said: “We will also help the elderly and vulnerable customers access food online. From Monday 23 March, our online customers who are over 70 years of age or have a disability will have priority access to online delivery slots.”

Asda