THIS HAS GOT TO STOP
Retailers fear elderly are at risk if stockpiling of supplies continues
SUPERMARKET bosses and politicians yesterday pleaded with shoppers to stop panic buying.
Retailers fear elderly people will be unable to get what they need if stockpiling continues.
BY JOHN DINGWALL
PANIC buyers stripping shelves of vital supplies have been warned that it has to stop.
Supermarket bosses, politicians and health officials came together yesterday in a bid to persuade shoppers to consider the needs of others as the pandemic hits the UK.
The plea came after supermarket shelves in Scotland and other parts of the UK were stripped bare at the weekend.
Shoppers have been accused of stockpiling items such as toilet paper, pasta, hand sanitisers and tinned goods while young mums have struggled to get baby formula.
Retailers say elderly people are at risk of not being able to get the supplies they need if panic buying continues.
People with babies and children could run out of essentials and those with medical conditions will also be put in danger.
Scottish Government national clinical director Jason Leitch said: “I understand that it can cause worry when you see shelves looking empty but it is vital that all of us share what is available.
“It’s not just a case of making sure you have soap so you can feel confident that you have really clean hands, you need your friends and colleagues to wash their hands too, so you need to leave them some soap.
“We’re liaising closely with supermarkets, shops and suppliers to help ensure the continued supply of key products to all areas of the country, including rural and island communities. We’ve agreed with councils that restrictions on delivery hours should be relaxed to help supermarkets and shops remain stocked and to allow shoppers to have access to all the goods they need whenever they shop, which people should see taking effect.
“People should shop sensibly and with consideration for everyone needing to access key goods and products, including those who rely on foodbank donations and the staff who are key to keeping stores and shops open. If you are required to stay at home, think about who could support you by doing shopping for you – or if you or family or friends could use click and collect. In the same vein, we would encourage people to think about family, friends and neighbours they could support.”
In an email to customers, Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe said: “There are gaps on shelves because of increased demand but we have new stock arriving regularly and we’re doing our best to keep shelves stocked. Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need.”
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. There is enough for everyone if we all work together.”
The UK health minister Nadine Dorris, who self-isolated after testing positive for the virus, tweeted: “Having lived through coronavirus, can I assure everyone that at no time during the seven days we were in isolation at home did we even once have to face a secondary crisis and run out of loo roll.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government was confident that food supplies were secure but everybody had to act responsibly as part of a national effort.
The Scottish Government said: “While it’s sensible to be prepared, there is absolutely no need to panic buy or stockpile. The message from all of the country’s big supermarket chains has been very clear, they have plenty of supplies to go around.
“Looking after each other will be key to getting through this crisis so have a thought for your fellow Scots and leave stuff on the shelves for other people.”
Online deliveries and click-andcollect services are running at full capacity.
Tesco spokesman Dan Hooper said: “We are experiencing a high level of demand. As such, we have limited the number of items people can buy, particularly anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet rolls, pasta and tinned veg. That’s both online and in-store.
“We are setting limits. They can buy five of each and we are working hard to make sure we have an effective supply going forward.”
Shopper Gemma Connolly was shocked to find shelf after shelf empty when she went for supplies at Asda’s store in Govan, Glasgow.
She said: “I spoke to a young guy who told me that a woman with a three-day-old baby was in tears because she couldn’t find powdered milk. He also said an old lady had been in earlier looking for toilet roll and there was none left.
“He said she only needed one roll and the poor guy couldn’t do anything to help her because it was all gone.
“It’s disgusting the way some people are behaving. It’s like some kind of apocalypse is coming.”
Many celebrities have taken to social media to denounce panic buying.
Singer Alison Moyet tweeted: “Not sure what the panic is about loo roll.
“Needs must. Worst comes to worse, wipe your a**e with rags and wash them out. Women have had to utilise this method the world around for millennia.”
JASON LEITCH NATIONAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR