Supermarkets are selling out of Hand sanitiser as fears about the Coronavirus, Covid-19, have boosted demand.
Sales have been restricted in supermarkets and pharmacies but supply is failing to meet demand.
Shoppers are now also ‘panic buying’ bleach and cleaning wipes, bread, water and even toilet paper as concerns grow that Covid-19 could become a worldwide pandemic.
90 people have now tested positive for the virus in the UK and health officials have moved into the ‘second phase’ of the governments four-part plan of their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, told MPs it was “highly likely” there was now some “community transmission” within the UK.
Measures will now be ‘ramped up’ to slow the spread of the virus and could involve “changes to society”, he said.
Downing Street said it would formally announce when it switches from the contain to delay stage of taking on the virus – and that this has not yet happened.
It is still being decided what measures will be taken in the delay phase – but the government has said they could include banning big events, closing schools, encouraging people to work from home and dissuading the use of public transport.
Prof Whitty said there was “no need” for members of the public to stockpile food or medicine.
