Shoppers are being warned that they will have to wear a mask when they go into Harborough’s biggest superstore

Shoppers are being warned that they will have to wear a mask when they go into Sainsbury’s – Market Harborough’s biggest superstore.

The supermarket giant is also telling people that they will have to shop alone at their town centre store as the third national Covid lockdown gets even tighter.

The popular superstore on St Mary’s Place is also posting security guards at the front of its outlet to challenge people not wearing a face covering or pitching up in groups rather than by themselves.

“Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, has written to all customers to ask them to play their part in keeping everyone safe by always wearing a mask in store and by shopping alone,” said Sainsbury’s.

“Following a successful trial over the weekend, Sainsbury’s will this week put trained security guards at the front of stores to challenge those who are not wearing a mask or who are shopping in groups.

“Sainsbury’s has also significantly reduced the number of customers allowed into stores at any one time and will have more hosts at the front of stores supporting with cleaning and social distancing.”

Chief executive Simon Roberts said: “I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

“The vast majority of customers are shopping safely.

“But I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.

“Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone.

“Everyone’s care and consideration matters now more than ever.”

Fellow supermarket titan Morrisons, which has a huge store on Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth, is also adopting a tougher line as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.

Morrisons said it would stop shoppers not wearing masks from going in.

Policing minister Kit Malthouse today warned that police would intervene in serious breaches of Covid rules in shops up and down the country.