Asda issues ‘no touch’ warning urging shoppers to only handle items they intend to buy to prevent coronavirus spread - while Aldi customers are told to only pick up trolleys they will use

Two large supermarket chains have introduced 'no touch' warnings for their customers in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus. 

Asda and Aldi's policies are the latest in a number of measures launched to protect staff and shoppers.

In Asda stores, customers are being discouraged from touching items they don't intend to buy and Aldi is asking people to only touch trolleys they intend to use. 

To promote safe social distancing, Asda has also put clear signage, directional barriers and floor markings throughout its stores, started a one-in-one-out entry policy and has rolled out Scan & Go Mobile, an app which allows customers to do contact-free shopping, in all shops.  

Asda has introduced a 'no touch' policy discouraging customers from touching products in its stores if they don't intend to buy them

On its website, Asda said: 'It is vital that we implement measures in our stores which will help keep you and our colleagues safe and to ensure they maintain social distancing requirements. 

'Although these measures will drastically change how people shop, this is the right thing for us to do to help limit the spread of infection.'

Since the pandemic took a hold, the chain, like many others in the country, has introduced priority hours for NHS staff and hope the new 'no touch' rule will help further prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Other supermarkets have been introducing a range of different policies to combat the spread and have been regularly updating their websites with new measures to keep their customers informed. 

Some have implemented policies such as 'no touch' warnings while others have opted to increase opening times. 

Sanitisation stations have been placed at the front of Aldi stores to make it easier for customers to disinfect their hands, trolleys and baskets before they do their shopping and staff are asking customers to only touch the trolleys and baskets they intend to use in the store.  

The opening hours in the stores were extended from Monday 14, with shops now staying open until 10pm Monday to Saturday, in a bid to encourage people to visit at quieter points in the day. 

It has also set up an online order service delivering food parcels to homes.

Frozen food chain Iceland angered NHS staff last week when it announced on its website that if any healthcare workers touched products in their stores they would have to buy them. 

Although the supermarket claimed it was to 'reduce the risk of contamination' and to protect staff and shoppers, customers who work in healthcare slammed the decision and branded the company a 'disgrace'. 

The supermarket sparked outrage by saying once workers had touched items 'they can't put them back' to reduce the risk of contamination during the coranavirus outbreak

They took to social media to share their disgust at the statement and, when sharing a screenshot of the Iceland website, the UK Paramedic Humour Facebook page wrote: 'Thanks for implying healthcare professionals are dirty, unclean people.

'Thanks for making us out to be lepers.

'If anything, Iceland - healthcare professionals are MORE likely to adhere to IPC guidelines by rigorous hand washing (for proof, just feel how rough our hands are).'

The message on their website was later deleted and Iceland said it was posted 'in error'. 

An Iceland spokesman said: 'We sincerely apologise for the offence this has clearly caused, and have immediately withdrawn this guidance.

'We are deeply grateful to the NHS and all key workers for everything they are doing to keep the country running.'