NHS workers will get priority access to Asda three days a week.

The supermarket giants have made several announcements today as they continue to cope with high demand because of the coronavirus.

From 8-9am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, NHS staff will get priority over other customers in some of the larger stores.

In an email sent to customers today, new opening times were also revealed.

It reads: "As of today, we will be moving our stores to 8am-8pm opening hours, meaning our colleagues have some time to re-stock the shelves of their stores and thoroughly clean for our customers to be able to shop.

"As a final point, we would also urge our customers, where possible, to use cashless payment options to reduce contact with our colleagues and help prevent further spread of the virus."

The company is also donating £5million to FareShare and the Trussell Trust.

It said: "The extensive package of measures will provide over 4 million meals to families in food poverty impacted by coronavirus as well as giving more than 3,000 charities the ability to access free food over the next 3 months as they fight to tackle the impacts of coronavirus in their communities.

"The donation will help the two food distribution charities as they experience a huge increase in demand over the coming months, as more vulnerable people turn to food banks for help through COVID-19.

"The funding will also continue the work of the Fight Hunger Create Change partnership between Asda and the two charities by helping tackle the root causes of poverty through supporting 800,000 people over the next year with debt and financial advice.

"I would again like to personally thank you for your ongoing support and patience during an uncertain time. Our communities are at the heart of what we do, so I would urge all of you to continue to shop responsibly and look after your fellow customers in our stores, respecting those who need to shop between 8am-9am, and if you can – by donating to your local food bank.

"And finally, I would like again thank our colleagues for their tireless efforts in our stores and depots. We’re in this together – and together we will get through this extraordinary time."

The move follows in the footsteps of competitors Tesco and Sainsbury's who have both announced dedicated time for NHS staff in their stores.

Today, people were encouraged to be responsible when shopping. Enviroment, food and rural affairs secretary, George Eustice reassured people there was plenty of food to go around but stores were finding it difficult to keep shelves stocked.

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