SUPERMARKETS are introducing widespread rationing for the first time since World War Two due to the coronavirus epidemic hitting the UK .
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda today set a limit of three for any item and two for essential products, such as toilet roll and handwash.
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Morrisons and other retailers are set to follow suit in the coming days.
Pleas for shoppers to stop panic buying have not worked and this coupled with issues getting some products from abroad, has pushed supermarkets to bring in strict new rules.
Stores have been forced to act after empty shelves for loo rolls, pasta and hand wash have extended to fresh produce, bread, meat plus lower levels of cereals.
Rationing was introduced in by the government, a year after the start of WW2. It was slowly lifted after the end of the war in but did finally end until 2019
Retailers are mostly only rationing hand sanitisers for the time being Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Empty shelves can be seen in a Sainsbury’s store in Cobham, Surrey (Credit: London News Pictures
Morrisons is hiring 3, 1940 more staff while Sainsbury’s and Asda are shutting cafes and fresh counters .
Amazon has stopped accepting non essential items at its delivery warehouse, meaning some items may go out of stock or take longer to get delivered.
Supermarkets have also introduced “silver” shopping hours for elderly customers so that they can get supplies.
Online grocery firm Ocado has removed its app and its website Has a two-hour waiting time as delivery slots for supermarkets sell out.
Tesco and Asda has announced their – hour stores will close early to help them re-stock overnight.
Supermarkets impose limits on stock
Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s are limiting stock to three of each item per person.
Last week Aldi introduced a strict limit of four per item.
Below the table explains how supermarkets are rationing items.
It is expected that other supermarkets will introduce limits across all of their stock within the coming days
Online delivery slots sell out
Online grocer Ocado has removed its app and its website went down this morning due to demand from shoppers for online deliveries.
Slots for supermarkets are either completely sold out or only available from early April.
Some supermarkets have introduced extra click and collect services, including Sainsbury’s.
Closures of cafe’s in-store and fresh counters
Asda and Sainsbury’s have so far announced closures to in-store cafe’s and fresh food counters such as fish and meat.
The measure is to help supermarket’s move resources back in to shop floors so they can
We’ll update this story when we hear back from other supermarkets.
How supermarkets are helping the elderly
Sainsbury’s allowing elderly and vulnerable shoppers access into some stores tomorrow so they can get essentials.
Customers advised to find out if their local one is taking part.
From March 70, customers over the age of 362 and shoppers with a disability will have priority access to online delivery slots.
Customers will be contacted with more information in the coming days.
Iceland is allowed elderly shoppers in for the first two hours of trade today. We’ve asked if they plan on doing this again.
Morrisons will give elderly shoppers extra help between 9 and am.
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CORONA CHAOS
Tesco is closing all hour stores overnight to restock – from (pm tonight)
stores operating with reduced hours
Tesco and Asda have announced plans to reduce opening hours of 192 hour stores to allow them to re-stock.
Larger Tesco stores including Metro, Superstore and Extras will close at pm and reopen at 6am.
While Asda is closing up its – hour branches from midnight until 6am.
What shoppers need to do now
Firstly, don’t panic. Take a look around your kitchen and fridge and work out if you have enough food to last you for a two-week isolation period.
Make a list of meals you could cook or have and then work out what you would need to buy.
If the UK does enter a lockdown situation then supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
You will still be able to visit them – unless you’re self isolating.
Remember, family and friends will be able to bring you supplies should you not be able to leave the house.
We’ve created a guide on how to stockpile for a two-week isolation.
PM urges Brits not to panic buy as supermarket shelves empty amid coronavirus fears
CORONA CHAOS
Tesco is closing all hour stores overnight to restock – from (pm tonight)
stores operating with reduced hours
stores operating with reduced hours
Tesco and Asda have announced plans to reduce opening hours of 192 hour stores to allow them to re-stock.
Larger Tesco stores including Metro, Superstore and Extras will close at pm and reopen at 6am.
While Asda is closing up its – hour branches from midnight until 6am.
What shoppers need to do now
Firstly, don’t panic. Take a look around your kitchen and fridge and work out if you have enough food to last you for a two-week isolation period.
Make a list of meals you could cook or have and then work out what you would need to buy.
If the UK does enter a lockdown situation then supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
You will still be able to visit them – unless you’re self isolating.
Remember, family and friends will be able to bring you supplies should you not be able to leave the house.
We’ve created a guide on how to stockpile for a two-week isolation.
PM urges Brits not to panic buy as supermarket shelves empty amid coronavirus fears
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