Shoppers have complained about having to walk through packed supermarket aisles despite strict social-distancing rules being in place.
Major supermarkets Coles and Woolworths encouraged customers to shop safely over the Easter long weekend by following the social distancing measures implemented across their stores.
But furious shoppers have taken to Facebook to complain of overcrowded aisles and customers failing to keep a 1.5 metre distance from others.
‘Pathetic Coles. The store at Winmalee was packed. Zero social distancing and only 1/2 the tills open,’ one person wrote alongside of a line at the self-serve checkouts.
A shopper at Coles Broadway in Sydney complained of crowds on Easter Saturday
A Coles customers snapped this picture of employees gathered together at the seafood counter. ‘The two Coles staff members were in a tight huddle with others a few seconds before I took this photo,’ she wrote
Coles said they ‘may limit the number of customers in stores to help maintain social distancing’
Another Coles customers snapped a picture of employees gathered together at the seafood counter.
‘The two Coles staff members were in a tight huddle with others a few seconds before I took this photo,’ she wrote.
‘No social distancing being enforced at the crowded store in Warragul.’
One angry shopper wrote: ‘Absolutely disgraceful behaviour by Coles and their failure to limit customers in their stores today.’
‘Aisles were packed and the staff member at the door could not have cared less.’
A health care worker said they find it ‘impossible’ to shop at the supermarket during the health crisis because the narrow aisles mean there is ‘no space’ to social distance.
‘No beach, no bush,’ one person wrote with a picture of crowds at a Coles supermarket
A health care worker said they find it ‘impossible’ to shop at Coles during the health crisis
Coles said the wellbeing of customers, team members, suppliers, the vulnerable and those in isolation is their priority.
They have introduced a raft of measures to ensure customers feel safe while purchasing essential grocery goods.
Coles are allowing a max of 110 shoppers at its smallest store, and 275 at its largest.
‘We want to ensure that all customers can follow social distancing guidelines when shopping in our stores,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As well as introducing social distancing decals in stores and measures that minimise contact… we have introduced new limits when the stores are busy on how many customers can be in a Coles store at any one time.
‘While most customers are doing the right thing, there is a small number of customers who are not following these guidelines.’
‘We have increased cleaning and hygiene measures, including wiping trolley and basket handles regularly.
‘We ask that every customer, just like every team member, washes or sanitises their hands before coming into store.’
Woolworths shoppers have also taken to Facebook to complain about the crowds over the Easter holiday.
Woolworths shoppers have also taken to Facebook to complain about the crowds over the Easter holiday
One shopper encouraged others to ‘stop standing around chatting to your friends’
‘Social distance in Melton was non existent people in groups including employees talking casually in threes – so much for flattening they curve,’ one person wrote.
Another wrote: ‘While we appreciate all the extra lengths your shops are going to… aisles were crowded and people unavoidable… there was even a bit of a panic vibe in people as everyone felt vulnerable.’
Pictures of checkouts at Woolworths Kellyville, in Sydney’s western suburbs, show screens have been installed around self-serve machines to encourage social distancing.
In a statement at the beginning of the week, Woolworths said they were planning for a safe and happy Easter in their stores.
‘With more customers looking to do their Easter shop, Woolworths is introducing new measures in stores in a further bid to keep its customers and team members safe.
‘In the coming week, Woolworths will be limiting the number of customers allowed in store from time to time to enable social distancing between customers.’
Pictures of checkouts at Woolworths Kellyville, in Sydney’s western suburbs, show screens have been installed around self-serve machines to encourage social distancing
One Woolworths customer said the aisles ‘were crowded and people unavoidable’
Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters said the number of customers allowed into each store at any one time will be dependent on its size.
A Woolworths spokesperson said they have received positive feedback from shoppers over the weekend.
‘We’ve been pleased with the way our customers and team have responded to the introduction of new social distancing measures, including customer limits,’ the spokesperson said.
‘While we haven’t needed to implement queuing in many of our stores as yet, we’ve found most customers have been understanding and patient when we’ve had to do so.
‘We encourage our customers to continue following the many different social distancing guides and prompts available in our stores.
We’re all in this together and it’s good to see that community spirit coming through as we seek to uphold public health and safety.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Coles for comment.
Pictured: New protective screens at Woolworths self-serve checkouts in Kellyville, western Sydney