Supermarket chain Waitrose have introduced marshals outside their stores to ensure customers follow government advice and remain at least two metres apart.

They also became the first supermarket to enforce a limit on the number of shoppers permitted inside stores, reduced the number of checkouts and placed perspex screens in front of tills.

Staff have also been offered “protective visors” if they would feel more at ease wearing them.

Bérangère Michel, director of customer services at parent company John Lewis Partnership, said; “The health of our partners and customers has always been our number one priority and we fully support social distancing.

“While these measures will dramatically change how people shop and interact with others in our stores for the moment, they are absolutely vital to ensure that our customers can shop safely and that our partners are protected as they go above and beyond to serve shoppers in this time of crisis.”