WAITING GAME
Supermarket shoppers queue around car parks to stock up before stores shut on Easter Sunday
SHOPPERS braving the supermarket today face massive queues through car parks and snaking round stores as people stock up before stores close on Easter Sunday.
Huge lines of shoppers have been pictured this morning at Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco stores.
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Shoppers around the country have also shared pictures on social media of the long waits they face too.
It follows a warning to shoppers yesterday to expect queues this weekend ahead of larger shops closing on Easter Sunday.
Waitrose's executive director of customer service told shoppers that Easter opening hours coupled with social distancing measures could "mean queues".
Many major supermarkets have imposed restrictions on the number of people who enter stores so social distancing can be observed.
Long queues can also happen at tills as people need to ensure they keep at least 2meters away from each other, which has also resulted in fewer checkouts being open.
But these issues are expected to be exacerbated over the Easter weekend as more people flood to supermarkets than usual due to being off work.
Shoppers have also been stocking up on items, such as BBQs, as the weather warms up.
John Lewis, for example, says it's seen a surge in online sales of BBQs and home gym equipment.
While sales of some paddling pools on Amazon are up 3,500 per cent compared to yesterday alone.
Adding to the problem is that some supermarkets close early on Friday and Saturday of the Easter weekend, while larger stores have to close on Sunday.
Under trading laws, shops in England and Wales (there are no restrictions in Scotland) that are over 280 square metres must close their doors on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
The government's department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has confirmed these rules still stand despite the coronavirus crisis.
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The Sun on Sunday has called on the government to relax Sunday trading laws in a plea that has been supported by MPs and supermarket bosses.
Many supermarkets are already closing doors earlier than usual during lockdown so they have more time to replenish stripped shelves and clean stores.
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Tesco, for example, started closing all of its 24-hour stores between 10pm and and 6am, while Asda shut its between 12am and 6am.
Many also have special opening hours for vulnerable and elderly shoppers, as well as for NHS workers, which also sees regular shoppers face more restrictions.
Iceland, for example, allows only NHS staff to shop for the final hour of trade.
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