Mercadona changes opening hours from Monday and supermarkets sell masks

In the case of the chain founded in the province of Valencia, the masks – by its own-brand toiletries label Deliplus – will be sold in packs of 10 for €6 from Thursday, May 14.

Before that, its current opening times – 09.00 to 19.00, Monday to Saturday, except bank holidays – will now increase by an hour, closing at 20.00.

This will put it in line with most other supermarkets, such as Mas y Mas, Consum, Lidl, Día, and El Corte Inglés – although other stores such as Spar and Carrefour closing at 21.00, Family Cash at 21.30, and Alcampo at 22.00.

It is not clear when supermarkets will restore their previous opening times – in the case of Mercadona, remaining open until 21.30, or until 22.00 in July and August – but it is likely this will start to happen when the country enters into 'Phase 2' of recovery, a time when large shops, chain stores and retail centres will be allowed to open again.

With the relaxing of quarantine measures, Mercadona says it has reinforced its daily disinfecting and cleaning processes, given that it anticipates increasing numbers of customers.

Existing procedures introduced at the start of the lockdown continue to apply for the moment – the requirement for customers to wear plastic gloves of the type used in the weigh-your-own fruit and veg department, and to dispose of these in a dedicated bin upon leaving for their future disinfecting and recycling; the obligation to use hand sanitiser at the entrance and to squirt some on a paper towel to disinfect their shopping basket and trolley handles before use; and the minimum one-metre distance between customers, marked by tape on the floor.

At present, outings – including shopping – can only be alone or in pairs, restricted to people from the same household, or with children if there is no care alternative; children can go out for walks with their parents between noon and 19.00, but are strongly discouraged from joining them on errands for the time being.

Mercadona recommends only one member of a household at a time goes shopping, although does not enforce this, and strongly advises those in the high-risk groups not to do so.

For some of these, such as the over-65s and pregnant women – along with those of reduced mobility or with disabilities, and also their companions where they cannot do their shopping themselves – all other customers are required to give priority to them at the check-out and let them pass at a safe distance in the aisles.

Once again, Mercadona – like other supermarkets nationwide – has urged customers not to stockpile food or household goods, since supplies of all usual products are 'more than guaranteed' and will not run out.

Continuing to pay by card rather than in cash is strongly advised.

Security guards, or a senior staff member or store manager, will continue to oversee all safety and hygiene procedures as before.

Masks are already on sale in most branches of Día, Lidl and Carrefour, typically in packs of 10 or 50 with prices per mask ranging from 60 to 89 cents.

Día is selling them for €30 for a box of 50 online only, limited to one box per buyer.

The government has set a maximum per-mask price of 96 cents, to prevent speculation.