Changes to how we shop: Coles and Woolworths have introduced new COVID-19 measures.

Starting from this week, supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths will be introducing new measures to ensure safety for customers and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Monday, April 6, there will be a limit on how many customers can be in the supermarket at any one time and shoppers will be told to wait in queues outside the store until the customers inside have left.

We currently do not know what that exact number will be as the limit will vary depending on the size of each supermarket.

WATCH: The new supermarket rules. Post continues below.

Woolworths’ Managing Director Claire Peters spoke out about these new rules, stating that it will ensure the safety of both the staff and the customers during these unprecedented times.

“Keeping our supermarkets safe for our teams and customers remains our top priority. Customers will start to notice stores implementing new social distancing measures in the lead up to the Easter weekend,” she said.

“Depending on how busy the store is, we may limit the number of people entering the store from time to time.

“Customer limits will be specific to each location and based on the size of the store. Our store managers will use common sense discretion to manage this in the interest of community safety.”

To ensure it runs smoothly, at Woolworths supermarkets there will be signage outside the store, cones marking where to line up and a one in, one out policy.

The Coles CEO Steven Cain has said that there will be staff members at the entrance of Coles supermarkets, notifying customers when it is okay to enter.

“We want to ensure that all customers can follow social distancing guidelines when shopping in our stores,” said Cain.

“Over the coming week, we may be introducing new limits when the stores are busy on how many customers can be in a Coles store at any one time.

“We ask that you follow their instructions and any signs in-store so we can safely serve as many customers in the community as possible.”

Feature Image: Getty.

Read more on COVID-19:

• What you need to know about COVID-19 today, Saturday April 4.
• What counts as exercise? Exactly what physical activity you can and can’t do this weekend.
• Rental evictions and a ‘new phase’: Everything we learnt from Scott Morrison’s latest press conference.

To protect yourself and the community from COVID-19, remain in your home unless strictly necessary, keep at least 1.5 metres away from other people, regularly wash your hands and avoid touching your face.

If you are sick and believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your GP ahead of time to book an appointment. Or call the national Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000. 

To keep up to date with the latest information, please visit the Department of Health website.