SUPERMARKETS including Lidl remain open during the third national lockdown in England because they are selling essentials.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a national shutdown at the start of the year to help stop the spread of coronavirus and save the NHS.

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As a result, all non-essential shops and businesses must close until at least mid-February.

Non-essential retailers can't open their physical stores under lockdown rules – but they can still sell things online for home delivery and for click and collect.

Shops that the government deems "essential" are allowed to stay open for browsing, including supermarkets, DIY shops and garden centres.

Keen to shop at Lidl? Below is the latest info about its opening hours.

When are Lidl stores opening and closing?

Lidl stores typically open from 8am Monday to Saturday, and then close between 9pm and 11pm.

Shops are then usually open from 10am or 11am until 4pm or 5pm on Sundays.

The opening hours vary though, so it's best to double-check these in advance before making the trip.

You can find your nearest one including contact details by using Lidl's store locator tool.

When is the best time to shop there?

Google has a tracker which allows you to see when the peak times are.

If you search for “Lidl” and then click on your nearest store, it will show a bar chart of when the store’s busiest times are.

Usually, the busiest times to go to your local Lidl store are between 8am and 11am.

The quietest times to shop are from 2pm to closing time.

What are the shopping rules for Lidl?

Lidl has no store-wide restrictions in place, but managers are able to bring in limits to their specific shop if they spot customers panic buying.

The retailer is asking shoppers to avoid busy times, and has guards at the doors to limit entry at when needed.

Face masks must be worn in store, and the guards outside its shops will also remind customers to wear one.

There are social distancing markers and signs in place, while at the checkouts there are screens and contactless purchases are encouraged.

The elderly, vulnerable and single parent families should ask for assistance if they need it.

Customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment and it has increased the limit to £45.

And if you can, you should shop alone to help reduce the number of people in store and maintain social distancing.

Can I order online?

No, Lidl doesn't currently do deliveries.

However, in October 2019 they advertised for a Digital Project Manager to head up a "new online platform" and be tasked with "driving online sales".

Yet, a year later, the supermarket was believed to have ditched plans to launch online shopping and delivery in the UK.

It came after the budget supermarket shut down the part of its business which ran digital logistics.

We explain the full list of essential shops that can open during the third lockdown.

The Covid threat level recently moved into its highest level for the first time ever.

The tighter restrictions come as the spread of the new strain of COVID-19 has led to "rapidly escalating case numbers across the country".

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