SUPERMARKETS around Harlow are “banning” couples from shopping together in a bid to help maintain social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff will be asking customers who turn up in groups to choose one adult from the household to shop, while the others wait outside.

Staff at Tesco’s in Church Langley have been gently advising shoppers of the new ruling on Friday morning.

Staff informed shoppers that they have a capacity of 200 at the start however they were quite clear with a couple who attempted to go in together. As neither one was a carer, one was politely asked to wait outside.

The system seemed to be working as the shelves were well stacked and shoppers had a well organised experience at the supermarket.

Sainsbury’s is banning more than one person per household from doing the grocery shop at one time during the coronavirus pandemic.

Parents are also urged not to bring their children shopping with them unless they have to, for example if there’s no one else to look after them at home.

Aldi has already announced similar measures, capping the number of customers per trolley to one.

Meanwhile, Tesco has also asked shoppers to only send one person per household although it’s not actively stopping customers from doing so.

Social distancing is where people make sure they stand at least two metres – or six feet – apart to help stop the spread of coronavirus and ease the pressure on the NHS.