FEARS over fresh food supplies reaching a supermarket chain in Buckinghamshire have been played down shortly after a 48-hour ban on UK hauliers by France caused it to sound concerns.

Sainsbury’s said it has a “good availability” of foods across its Buckinghamshire sites and asked people to proceed “as normal” with Christmas shopping.

It is however limiting access to it shops at busy periods and asked shoppers to send just one adult from each household.

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The statement came after Britain’s second biggest supermarket warned it could face “gaps” on its shelves in a matter of days after France shuts its border with the UK on Sunday.

Sainsbury’s had said it could face a shortage of fresh produce such as salad leaves, lettuce and cauliflower if transport issues are not resolved.

France is one of dozens of countries banning UK arrivals over fears a new variant of coronavirus could spread.

Sweeping new tier four restrictions were brought in for London and much of south-east England at the weekend, scuppering a planned relaxation of coronavirus rules over Christmas.

France said today it will introduce a procedure “to ensure movement from the UK can resume”.

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When asked how Sainsbury’s is managing the situation in Buckinghamshire, a spokesperson said: “We have good availability in our stores and encourage customers to shop as normal.

“We continue to follow government guidance and safety measures will remain in place. This includes greeters limiting the number of customers entering the store during busy times and asking customers to only send one adult per household to store where possible.

“We also have hand and trolley sanitiser stations, Perspex safety screens and signs inside and throughout our stores which remind customers to keep a safe distance and to wear a face covering if they are able to.”

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