PEOPLE across the UK are once again being asked to stay at home due to the rising levels of coronavirus.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on December 20 that Wales would be entering Alert Level 4 restrictions, with the message to 'stay at home'.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also brought in a national lockdown for England with some harrowing news that around one in 50 people currently have Covid-19.

Scotland is also in another national lockdown, this comes after Covid cases began to soar right across the UK with evidence of a new, more infectious, strain of the virus.

Those who were shielding back in March are once again being asked to do so again, meaning it may be more difficult to get to stores to do their essential food shopping.

All non-essential stores are closed, pubs, restaurants and bars are also closed.

Supermarkets have adapted how they operate throughout the year in order to account for social distancing measures and accommodate vulnerable customers.

We've put together a list of the top rules for the main supermarkets if you need to shop for yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

Asda

Asda announced it would increase coronavirus safety measures at stores across the country.

The supermarket advised it has ‘strong product availability’ across its UK stores and urge customers to ‘shop considerately’.

In the coming weeks, Asda is stepping up its online capacity and its partnership with UberEats to help customers shop online, especially those that are shielding.

Asda’s safety marshals will be on duty at the front of every store from 8am to 8pm as well as sanitisation stations, which compliment the 3,500 stations already in place.

Asda also released a new virtual queueing app called 'Qudini' which is available for all 421 main stores, allowing customers to wait in their cars until there is a slot available if the store is busy.

Automatic counting technology has also been installed in Asda’s 100 busiest stores.

Face covering for everyone must also be worn unless medically exempt.

These additional initiatives are on top of the extensive safety measures Asda already has in place such as Perspex screens at every checkout, clear social distancing signage throughout stores, and regular deep cleaning regimes

More information can be found online here.

Tesco

Tesco has a priority shopping hour every Wednesday and Sunday between 9am-10am for vulnerable and elderly customers. Everyone else is being asked to not visit stores at this time.

NHS, emergency service and care workers also can go to the front of a queue with valid ID.

Shoppers in the same household should not go in store together.

Tesco also has floor markings which indicate where you can and cannot stand and in-store counters are also temporarily closed.

Some Tesco stores have cordoned off non-essential aisles such a kitchenware and clothing.

The supermarket has also brought in traffic light system to monitor the flow of customers in and out of stores.

More information can be found online here.

Aldi

Aldi has a traffic light system in place to monitor the flow of customers in and out of their stores.

The store is encouraging shoppers to pick quieter times to do their shopping, with the busiest period often between 11am-3pm.

There is also a mandatory face covering rule unless medically excempt.

A large proportion of SpecialBuys are deemed as essential items, however a small number of products may have been removed.

Every Monday to Saturday, all stores will open 30 minutes prior to their usual opening times for elderly and most vulnerable customers, to ensure that they can shop as safely as possible. In England and Wales, this will be browsing time only.

More information can be found online here.

Lidl

The supermarket has also put a traffic light system in place so customers can find the quietest times to shop.

At the bakery section, tongs will no longer be used, instead disposable gloves will be available.

The supermarket is urging people to only handle what you intend to buy.

Strict social distancing measures are also in store.

More information can be found online here.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's has increased the number of home delivery and Click and Collect slots available and are on track to offer 800,000 weekly slots.

For vulnerable customers who have been offered a slot and are unable to place their order online, they are offering a telephone ordering service.

Vulnerable and elderly customers and NHS staff have priority access to stores.

The supermarket has also introduced a Volunteer Shopping Card to enable people to shop for others easily in store.

Due to recent changes in the Welsh government’s coronavirus guidelines, stores are unable to deliver alcohol past 10pm. If you have a slot booked after 10pm containing alcohol, you should amend your basket or choose a new delivery slot

Queueing systems outside of Sainsbury’s stores will be implemented when necessary and only one adult per household will be allowed into the shop at any one time.

Greeters will be on hand outside all supermarkets and busy convenience stores to remind customers to wear face coverings when they enter the store.

More information can be found online here.

Iceland

Iceland is no longer offering priority hours in line with customer feedback, instead offering all customers the flexibility to shop at any time of day.

However delivery slots will be prioritised for the elderly and vulnerable on the UK Government’s shielding lists.

More information can be found online here.

Morrisons

The supermarket offers a next-day doorstep delivery service for customers who are self-isolating or unable to get to a store.

Those who are self-isolating and in need of an emergency grocery delivery can phone 0345 611 6111 and select option five.

More information can be found online here.