A BUS driver wants supermarket rules changed for key workers after he was stopped from entering a supermarket.

Dave Bradley planned to go into Morrisons in St James’s Street, Brighton, just after 7am on Friday to pick up a sandwich.

But he was told by the security guard he could not enter as he was not a healthcare worker.

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The supermarket is one of many to introduce a dedicated shopping hour for NHS staff from 7am to 8am each morning.

But Brighton and Hove Buses driver Mr Bradley said other key workers should be treated equally.

“We have to keep working and we don’t have much time to get food anyway, we’re working eight or nine-hour days,” the 47-year-old from Kemp Town said.

“We can’t pick and choose when we can get food because we’re driving all day.

“We’d like a bit of gratitude. It’s not on.

“This happened to another driver I knew at Asda in Hollingbury too, she was told she had to queue normally because she wasn’t an NHS worker.

“It’s really unfair. We want supermarkets to treat us like key workers.”

Mr Bradley’s husband Terry Bryan said supermarkets should recognise the risk bus drivers have of catching the virus.

“Many NHS staff, patients, and indeed Morrisons employees need to use the bus service in order to get to their place of work,” the University of Sussex worker said.

“We completely respect NHS workers, but believe all key workers should be included in the special supermarket opening times.

“Brighton and Hove Busses have sent more than half their drivers home on 80 per cent pay.

“But Dave didn’t even apply for this and chose to work during the coronavirus outbreak, putting his and my heath at risk.​

“Five London bus drivers have died after contracting coronavirus.

“He was really upset that his job as a key worker was dismissed.

“He just wanted to get a sandwich for his eight-hour shift. There was no queue or anyone in the supermarket.”

A Morrisons spokeswoman said the shopping hour was only for healthcare staff.

​The Government considers transport workers as key workers among countless others.

Morrisons is not the only supermarket to introduce priority hours for healthcare staff.

Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Aldi have all designated certain mornings for healthcare workers.

But none has introduced schemes to prioritise all key workers.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund