Asda has become the latest supermarket to begin rationing products to limit stockpiling and is closing counters to free up staff as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

From today, Asda said it would be putting a limit of three items per customer across food, toiletries and cleaning products, “to ensure customers have access to their essentials”.

The retailer said it had “plenty of products to go around” but it has a “responsibility to do the right thing for our communities to help our customers look after their loved ones in a time of need”.

The supermarket said it would also begin temporarily closing its cafes and pizza counters to “free up room for colleagues” in its warehouses and stacking shelves, from this week.

Asda has also made the decision to temporarily close 24-hour stores between midnight and 6am to better assist with restocking shelves.

The supermarket said while its online business is growing and does have spare capacity, it asked customers “who can be flexible in their delivery slots to consider less-popular delivery times”.

In a message to customers, chief executive Roger Burnley said: “We’re working around the clock to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep products available – and in some cases, such as with hand sanitiser, cleaning products and baby formula – we have implemented a limit on the number of items that can be purchased to make sure everyone can get what they need.

“I’d also ask that you try to shop responsibly and not buy more than you need so that everyone, including the vulnerable, has access to the essentials.”

The Walmart-owned grocery chain’s new measures follow similar steps taken by Sainsbury’s, Tesco and the discounters.

Sainsbury’s will shut all in-store cafes and counters from Thursday and has placed limits on purchases on a wider range of products.

Tesco has made changes to store hours, also closing 24-hour stores earlier in order to allow staff the chance to better replenish shelves and support online grocer delivery.

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