Expect to see more strict social-distancing measures in place at your local supermarket in the coming days and weeks, because Woolworths and Coles are planning to step things up.

Australia's largest supermarket chains have announced new and enhanced measures to keep people safe from coronavirus in their stores, including limiting the number of people who can enter.

What is Woolworths doing?

Woolworths says it will be "limiting the number of customers allowed in store from time to time" in an attempt to enforce social distancing.

The number of customers allowed in any one store will depend on its size.

"Our store managers will use common sense discretion to manage this in the interest of community safety," Woolworths managing director Claire Peters said.

"We know it may take some getting used to, but we ask our customers to be patient with us during this time.

"Supermarkets overseas have successfully adopted similar measures. We also encourage everyone to be community-minded when queuing."

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Woolworths says it will work with "centre management security and police" to manage queues. Signs and cones will be used to show people where to queue, and customers will be let into the shop on a "one in, one out" basis.

What is Coles doing?

Coles will soon implement a similar tactic, announcing in a YouTube video that it will be "limiting how many customers can be in a store, so we may ask you to queue when you arrive".

The video also encourages people to shop alone if possible.

Pre-plan your Easter shopping

Both chains are bracing themselves for Easter, which is historically one of the biggest grocery shopping periods of the year.

"While Easter won't be the same this year, we know Australian families will still want to maintain traditions in the new normal environment," Ms Peters said.

"Traditionally, the Thursday in the lead-up to Easter is one of our busiest times in-store. We ask our customers to pre-plan their Easter shopping to avoid the usual Thursday spike in numbers."

Home delivery services could return soon

Easter is traditionally a busy period for supermarkets. ( ABC News: Tom Joyner )

Almost all home grocery delivery services have been suspended for a number of weeks now, but Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci is hoping for an imminent resumption.

"We are making good progress reactivating home delivery, area by area," he said.

"We're hoping to have all areas operational immediately after Easter."

Woolworths will also be starting a 'Priority Assistance Partner Pick Up' service, which will allow people to place an order online and have someone else pick it up for them.