Supermarkets are being re-stocked
AS news broke last Thursday morning that schools would be closing until March 29, Supermarket shelves began to empty.
At Tesco on the Vevay Road in Bray, the store was closed for approximately an hour in the afternoon to allow staff to re-stock the shelves.
The previous evening, before the announcement was even made, dry goods such as pasta and rice were gone, there was no bleach and few cleaning products, and the supermarket had place a limit of three per shopper on packets of toilet paper.
This was the case in supermarkets all over the country, although supplies of most items have been restored since then.
The government has continued to urge people not to ‘panic buy’.
They said that supplies are plentiful and that supermarkets will remain open.
Hours prioritising older customers and their carers have been introduced in several stores, including Tesco, Lidl and SuperValu. In Tesco it’s up to 9 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In Lidl, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., in Supervalu it’s 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
At SuperValu in Greystones, owner Anne Daly and manager Paddy Holohan said that in a statement that they will prioritise elderly customers between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. daily.
‘We would ask all other age groups to avoid this time period if at all possible,’ they said. ‘Our fantastic team of staff will continue to work early to late to help ensure the store is presented to you each day in the best possible condition.
‘There are no major stock shortages at this time and our supply lines are running extremely well under the current circumstances.’
They said that quotas remain in place across the store, including alcohol. ‘This is to ensure everyone gets what they need so please trust us as we will continue to look after you.’
They said that they will prioritise the elderly at the checkouts at all times of the day and they will be served first.
‘So please be patient if we bring an older person to the front of the queue ahead of you,’ they said.
Supermarkets including Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes and others have introduced measures to ensure social distancing.
They are asking people to keep a distance of two metres from customers and staff, and encouraging people to pay by contact-less if they can.
They are asking people to keep chats to a minimum when shopping and to keep moving through the store towards the checkouts.