Guidelines on shelter in place rules were issued today.

The guidelines said that permitted businesses - such as banks, grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations - could remain open between 7am and 7pm.

Hospital and other clinics and surgeries can also operate open without the operational hour restrictions.

The guidelines added that businesses must make sure that staff and customers practise social distancing.

Authorised grocery and pharmacy deliveries will be allowed, but only by people with permission from the national security ministry.

The delivery worker should call the customer on arrival and leave the bags on their doorstep.

Grocery store and gas station visits should be made on days allocated alphabetically by last name.

People with surnames from A to L can shop on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and those from M to Z can shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Only people aged 65 or disabled can shop on Sundays.

The guidelines added: “Seniors and the physically challenged can also go on any day that corresponds with their last name, but Sunday is set aside for these groups.”

Only one member of each household should go shopping - but exceptions are to be made for single parents.

The guidelines said: “Single parents of young children may take their children with them. Other than this scenario, we strongly discourage children from attending grocery stores.”

People should also carry ID or a utility bill as proof of surname.