FURTHER CASES of Covid-19 have been reported at two major Hampshire supermarkets.

Staff are said to be isolating with the virus which is affecting busy Tesco and Asda stores.

A spokesperson for Tesco confirmed that a “small number” of staff are currently absent from work due to Covid-19 at the Tesco Extra store on Hamble Lane, Bursledon.

They confirmed that the close contacts of these individuals have been informed.

The spokesperson for Tesco said: “The safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our number one priority and we are working with local public health authorities, following all Government guidance and taking the relevant precautions.

“We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular cleaning."

It was also claimed that there has been an outbreak among staff at the Asda store on Bournemouth Road, Chandler’s Ford.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the company confirmed the isolating staff were being supported, but did not say how many were currently off with the virus.

They said: “We would never comment on individual colleague circumstances, but the safety of both our colleagues and customers has been our key priority throughout the pandemic.

“This is why we have extensive measures in place such as protective screens, social distancing signage and numerous hand sanitiser stations across all our stores.

“Our customers can rest assured that we continue to follow government guidance by asking any colleagues with coronavirus symptoms to immediately self-isolate.”

This comes as multiple supermarkets have said they will deny entry to customers not wearing face masks unless they are exempt in line with government guidance.

MP for Southampton Test, Alan Whitehead branded supermarkets a “lifeline”, saying: “Those staff that are working there need to be as protected as much as they can be.

“It’s absolutely right that those people coming into supermarkets should be wearing masks.”

MP for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith said: “I welcome supermarkets strictly enforcing these rules to help protect customers but particularly staff who have worked throughout this pandemic to keep us all fed.”