Coronavirus: Coles unveils new store safety rules,Woolies to take on extra 20,000 workers

Coles has told shoppers to pack their own groceries to limit the spread of coronavirus as the supermarket giant unveiled new rules aimed at keeping shoppers and staff safe in stores.

Customers are receiving letters from the company outlining the new measures.

Shoppers have been told they must not enter stores if they are sick, and should handle their own bags and pack their own groceries to limit the risk of spreading the virus.

They have also been asked to wash or sanitise their hands before entering stores and shoppers must stay 1.5 metres away from others at all times.

Special directions will be provided at checkouts to make sure people in queues don't get too close together.

"We know this is a big change for customers, and we are asking that we can all work together and make that happen from today," Coles Chief Operations Officer Matt Swindells told 9News.

Other safety measures include special markings will be provided at checkouts to make sure people in queues don't get too close together.

The retailer is spending an extra $1 million a week on extra cleaning and security guards, with special attention paid to sanitising high contact surfaces including trolleys, baskets, and checkout areas.

And customers are being encouraged to pay via tap-and-go.

Masks and gloves are not being recommended for shopping, in line with health department advice.

Bakery departments are also making changes, with items including bread baked on site to be pre-wrapped to ensure products are not contaminated.

Checkout staff will also be regularly rotated.

"For our team members, we have secured 12,000 litres a week of hand sanitiser. There is no substitute for washing your hands with this virus, " Mr Swindells said.

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Social distancing of around 1.5m, or a trolley width apart between all customers and workers.

Other measures include markings placed on the ground near checkouts to help out customers with those regulations.

Shoppers will also be expected to pack their own bags to minimise risks.

Woolies to take on extra 20,000 workers

Up to 20,000 jobs are up for grabs as Woolworths takes on workers across Australia to keep up supplies of food and drink during of the coronavirus outbreak.

The roles in its supermarkets, e-commerce, supply chain and drinks businesses are expected to be filled in the next month.

"These are uncertain times for many industries and we have an important role to play keeping Australians employed through this crisis," Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said in a statement on Friday.