Sainsbury's has pledged to make shopping easier and more accessible for elderly and vulnerable people throughout the UK Coronavirus outbreak. 

The grocery retailer released a statement that details a list of improvements they will be rolling out to every one of their branches across the country over the next week. 

As of Thursday, 19 March they have pledged to set aside the first opening hour of every supermarket for elderly and vulnerable groups to do their shopping. 

Chief Executive Mike Coupe said: "A number of you suggested that we reserve an hour in stores for elderly and vulnerable customers. In response to this request, we will set aside the first hour in every supermarket from Thursday, 19 March."

The shopping giant is also giving elderly and vulnerable groups priority access to online delivery slots from Monday, 23 March. In a bid to make online shopping more user friendly, Sainsbury's has announced it will be reaching out to elderly groups in the coming weeks. 

Glasgow Times:

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As we see empty shelves in most supermarkets due to a rise in panic buying, Sainsbury's will be implementing a shopping restriction on certain products: Customers will only be allowed to buy three of any grocery product and two of items including toilet roll, soap and UHT milk. 

Mike Coupe added: "We have enough food coming into the system, but are limiting sales so that it stays on shelves for longer and can be bought by a larger number of customers."

As of Thursday, 19 March, meat, fish and pizza counters will be closing in all Sainsbury's supermarkets in a bid to free-up lorry capacity for more demanded and essential items. 

Mike Coupe said: "This means we can free up warehouse and lorry capacity for products that customers really need.

"It will also free up time for our colleagues to focus on keeping the shelves as well stocked as possible."

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