ALTHOUGH Sainsbury’s can still open over lockdown three, the store has made changes to way customers can shop since Brits were told to stay at home earlier this month.

The supermarket has revealed it has undertaken new measures to clamp down on the spread of coronavirus and to cope with the increased demand from shoppers.

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 Sainsbury's has implemented new timings for the elderly and vulnerable

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Sainsbury’s has implemented new timings for the elderly and vulnerableCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Here’s what you need to know before doing your big shop.

When are Sainsbury’s branches opening and closing?

While Sainsbury’s reduced store opening hours during the first lockdown, it has extended opening times for most of its stores for the latest nationwide lockdown.

Most supermarkets are open from 7am to 10pm.

And closing times for many convenience stores have been extended to 1opm or 11pm.

It’s best to check exactly when your local store will open and close using Sainsbury’s store locator tool.

Are there priority shopping times?

During the first lockdown, NHS staff had priority access to stores Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 8am.

The store’s elderly customers, carers and disabled customers had a dedicated shopping hour from 8am to 9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

During this lockdown, elderly and vulnerable shoppers, NHS workers and care workers have priority access to stores at all times.

This means you can skip the queue and head inside to shop at any time.

NHS and care workers will need to share their ID card at the store entrance.

The supermarket has also launched a Volunteer Shopping Card so people can shop for others easily in store.

 You might need to queue outside before you're allowed to do your shop, as Sainsbury's has limited the number of shoppers allowed in store

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You might need to queue outside before you’re allowed to do your shop, as Sainsbury’s has limited the number of shoppers allowed in storeCredit: Reuters

When is the best time to shop there?

Google has a tracker which allows you to see when the peak times are.

If you search for “Sainsbury’s” and then click on your nearest store, it will show a bar chart of when the store’s busiest times are.

What should I buy when I’m there?

The Government and supermarkets have urged shoppers not to panic buy or stockpile.

They’ve also asked shoppers not to touch items unless they’re buying them to limit the spread of the virus.

We have compiled a list of what you need for two weeks now that Brits have been told to stay at home and limit the number of times they go to the shops.

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Is there a limit on items?

Sainsbury’s says it will put limits on some of its products to make sure as many customers can get what they need.

The store recently emailed shoppers to inform shoppers of tighter restrictions, and said customers should only buy what they need.

The supermarket said it has a “good availability of products” in stores and there is “enough food for everyone”.

Can I order online?

Yes, you can still shop online.

However, supermarkets have been experiencing a spike in demand for home deliveries since lockdown was announced.

The store is therefore prioritising vulnerable customers for this service.

Sainsbury’s has contacted 600,000 of its most vulnerable shoppers to organise home deliveries.

If you spend £40 or more, delivery costs start from a quid.

And if you spend £100 or more, it’s free after 2pm Monday to Thursday.

What about click and collect?

Sainsbury’s is still offering a click and collect service.

It’s free if you spend over £40, otherwise it’s £4.

You can book a click and collect slot on Sainsbury’s website here.

You’ll still be able to use the service in Scotland too.

Although Nicola Sturgeon has toughened up click and collect rules, you can still use this service if you are shopping for essential items.

If you’re looking for opening times for shops still open including Boots, Halfords and Poundland, here’s a list for you to check.

And here are 10 top tips to help with your Tesco shop.

Want the lowdown of what the lockdown rules are for supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Lidl? Check out our round-up.

Massive queues of people outside Sainsburys in Whitley Bay as coronavirus panic-buying continues

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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