Aldi is one of two supermarkets to insist on 'no touch' rules - plus it launches food parcel sales for vulnerable

Aldi, which has branches in Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington, and Adsa hope to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 by asking customers to avoid touching items they may not purchase.

In a message on its website, Asda tells shoppers to "touch less" and to "pick up only what you intend to buy", as part of measures introduced earlier this month as part of new hygiene controls.

"There will be regular announcements on Asda radio to remind customers of their responsibility to apply social distancing rules, and to help you do this we are closing every other self-checkout till."

As part of Asda's measures to help customers during the pandemic, it has also launched a free prescription delivery service across all of its 255 pharmacies to help get medication to its customers who are self-isolating, or less able to get into stores.

Elsewhere, Aldi has said some staff may ask customers to only touch trolleys they intend to use.

A spokeswoman said: "Sanitisation stations are in place at the front of stores so it is easy for customers to disinfect their hands, trolleys and baskets before doing their shop.

"Our store colleagues may ask that customers only touch trolleys they intend to use."

Last week, the supermarket also announced it would start selling food parcels on its website for the first time to help vulnerable people and those self-isolating.

The parcels, launched on Friday, selling at £24.99 each on Aldi's website, will be for home delivery and contain 22 products including tinned soup, rice and pasta.

Each parcel will also include antibacterial handwash and a four-pack of toilet roll.

Tesco and Morrisons do not currently have a "no touch" policy in place

Tesco said customers need to pick up products to check for allergens and ingredients while Morrisons said Government guidance states it is very unlikely for the virus to be passed on through food.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said it does not have a 'no touch' policy in place, but it will continue to follow Government guidance.

In its latest move to help feed the nation amid the pandemic, Sainsbury's launched Volunteer Shopping Cards, which aim to help customers shop on behalf of the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.

Customers can visit a dedicated webpage and select how much they would like to spend on their weekly shop, from £5 to £250.

The e-gift card can then be emailed directly to the person shopping on their behalf, which can then be redeemed at checkout in store.

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