Supermarket giant, Tesco, has joined Sainsbury's and Waitrose in banning couples and families from shopping together under the new national lockdown.

Tesco, which has stores in Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Great Harwood, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Padiham, is now 'encouraging people to shop on their own', meaning couples will not be allowed to shop together, and families with children can only enter if the children cannot stay at home.

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As the new lockdown restrictions came into force on Thursday, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose reinstated their rules on shopping in groups and reminded customers to wear a face covering and shop sensibly to ensure everyone had access to basic supplies.

Asda, Aldi and Morrisons are 'advising' people to shop alone but have not said they would place an outright ban on two people coming to do their shop together.

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Here are the current rules for each supermarket chain according to lovemoney.com.

Aldi:

The number of people in store is being limited when necessary.

Aldi uses an 'automated traffic light' system to indicate when customers can safely enter the store.

There are markers on the floor to help everyone maintain a safe distance and paying by contactless methods is encouraged.

Aldi is also advising people to shop alone if possible.

Stores are now open up to 10pm every day except for Sundays, when opening hours are 10am to 4pm.

Asda:

The number of customers in store will be limited when necessary, so Asda recommends shopping by yourself if possible.

There are floor markings spaced two metres apart across the store to help encourage social distancing.

Lidl:

Lidl is monitoring the volume of people entering stores, so the number of shoppers may be restricted and there are floor markings to encourage social distancing.

The discounter is also advising people to pay by contactless if they can.

Morrisons:

Morrisons encourages ‘one person per trolley’ and uses a queueing system when necessary.

The supermarket offers a ‘speedy shopper’ queue. So, customers who want to do a smaller shop (with one basket) can gain quicker entry – there will also be more dedicated card-only checkouts to speed up shopping.

Morrisons says three ‘speedy shopper’ customers will be let in for every person with a trolley, while marshals can help people pick the best queue for their needs.

Sainsbury's

Only one adult per household will be allowed into the store. If you show up with more than one adult, one must be chosen to shop while the others wait outside.

Children are welcome – but only if they cannot stay at home.

There is also a queueing system in place outside stores and markings on the shop floor to help everyone maintain a safe distance.

Tesco:

Tesco has warned new social distancing measures will be introduced soon, including directional floor markings and new signs around its stores.

There is also a limit on the number of people allowed in store. Tesco will soon introduce a traffic light system for some of its larger stores to let people know when it’s safe to enter.

It is still encouraging people to shop on their own (kids are obviously allowed to accompany you) and there are floor markings to help people maintain safe distances.

Waitrose:

Waitrose is currently limiting the number of customers in its shops and has requested that couples and families don’t shop together.

Similar to other supermarkets, there will be signs to keep customers two metres apart. On top of this, dedicated marshals will help manage queues.