Shoppers fear not everyone’s got the idea of social distancing

FOOTAGE secretly filmed inside supermarkets has showed crowded aisles as shoppers flout rules on social distancing.

The video was recorded by customers with hidden cameras inside four shops - two in and around London and two in Bristol - and reveals that not everyone has been sticking to the two-metre rule.

Aldi in Southville and Tesco Extra in Eastgate both feature on the footage, as well as M&S in Blackheath and Asda in Southend.

Despite supermarkets bringing in measures to protect staff and customers, including one-way walking systems around the shops and screens at the tills, some people are still not taking the risks seriously.

While most people are now used to social distancing in the queues outside, a minority of shoppers seem to be forgetting the restrictions as soon as they get through the doors.

Leaning over people to reach food, walking past other shoppers at close proximity and even overtaking people at the entrance are all behaviours that have been observed during lockdown.

Others are struggling to stick to the rules due to the sheer volume of people in store and the narrow nature of supermarket aisles.

A shopper named Beth, tweeting about an unspecified Bristol branch of Tesco on Saturday, said: “Absolutely disgusting.. no social distancing, letting anyone in, hard to move around the store.”

This is despite blue stickers on the floor clearly reminding people

A busy aisle in the Eastgate Tesco in Bristol

to keep at least two metres away from each other.

Another shopper, Bex, taking to Twitter last week, said: “My partner just went to Tesco Eastville... Abandoned the trolley half way through. Absolutely no social distancing measures in place, no queuing to get in.”

However, not all people have had that experience and there are times when supermarkets are likely to be much quieter.

One Tesco customer who visited

the Eastgate store this week tweeted: “No queues, smiling, friendly staff, well stocked shelves and even calming music. Pleasure to shop there this morning.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We have introduced measures to protect our customers and colleagues, and ensure that everyone in our stores maintains a safe distance.

“We’re asking customers to help by following some simple requests when they shop with us.”

Aldi said it has introduced measures to help customers socially distance, including protective screens at checkouts, markers on floors and a limit on the number of people entering stores at any one time.

There is also signage up in all stores that gives guidance on how to shop safely.

Supermarket staff have been working hard to adapt their stores for the benefit of others, and some have reported working 13-hour shifts to make sure the shelves are stocked up.