Woolworths and Coles have introduced special hours in their supermarkets to ensure that older people and people with disabilities will be able to shop in less crowded aisles during the coronavirus pandemic.

Key points: The new Woolworths hours began today from 7:00am nationally

The new Woolworths hours began today from 7:00am nationally Coles later announced it would do the same, starting on Wednesday

Coles later announced it would do the same, starting on Wednesday Access will be granted only to those with relevant, government-issued cards

Both shops are opening exclusively between 7:00am and 8:00am to give those groups a chance to do their shopping before the rush begins.

Woolworths says shoppers will be allowed in if they can show a relevant government-issued seniors, pensioner or disability card.

Coles is also hiring more than 5,000 casual staff to help deal with demand.

The moves come after scenes of panic-buying, clashes between shoppers and scuffles over toilet paper, as Australians look to stock up on products as a result of the fear of shortages, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Coles has also limited the purchasing of pasta, rice, flour, paper towels, hand sanitiser, eggs, frozen vegetables, frozen desserts and mince.

Toilet paper remains at one pack per person for both supermarket chains, while Woolworths has yet to place limits on frozen goods or eggs.

Woolworths says the new hours will be in place until at least March 20.

"While we'll continue to do our very best to restock our stores during this period of unprecedented demand, we know many of our elderly customers have been missing out on essential items when they shop," Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Claire Peters said.

"This temporary measure will give them, and those with a disability, the opportunity to shop before our stores officially open — helping them obtain the essential items they need most in a less crowded environment."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 40 seconds 40 s Shoppers scuffle over toilet paper in supermarket

Last week, Woolworths announced that it was working with Meals on Wheels in New South Wales to help deliver toilet paper directly to the elderly in the community.

The new schedule means most Australians will have less time to shop in their supermarkets.

Those Woolworths branches that usually operate from 6:00am on weekdays will now open their doors an hour later — and only for the select group of shoppers.

There are no plans to extend operating hours.

Coles will be closing its stores earlier than normal to give staff time to clean and restock the shelves.

Most Coles supermarkets usually close at 9:00pm, but now they will shut their doors "no later" than 8:00pm.

Coles said the change was made to give staff "the time and space to extensively clean our stores and replenish the shelves for customers the next day".

"If elderly or vulnerable people are unable to get to a supermarket to buy essential items, they can also log on to Foodbank's website to find a local charity or service nearby."

National Seniors Australia praised the Woolworths initiative and said it hoped that other retailers would do the same.

The gesture by Woolworths means that seniors will be able to shop in less crowded aisles for one hour every day. ( ABC News: Glyn Jones )

"We applaud the move by Woolworths because it is much needed and we would urge others to follow suit," National Seniors Australia CEO Professor John McCallum told the ABC.

"Older Australians are already very anxious about coronavirus, so to have another kind of pressure is unfair."

"This is not the time for others to be selfish."

Rival supermarket brand IGA is considering rolling out a similar scheme across its 1,300 Australian stores.

It is being trialled at its branch in Altona, in Melbourne, from Tuesday until April 7.

On weekends, the one-hour timeslot for seniors and people with disabilities moves forward to the first opening hour of Woolworths stores — 7:00am on Saturday and 8:00am on Sunday.