Coronavirus shopping: What to stock up on for coronavirus?

Coronavirus has triggered unprecedented measures across the UK, with schools closing as of Friday, workers urged to work from home and people told to practice social distancing in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Britons have also been rushing to their local supermarkets to purchase items as self-isolation and quarantine are required for those with symptoms.

Shops have issued warnings to customers and implemented new rules in the wake of the panic buying, urging shoppers to only take what they need.

Images uploaded to social media show empty shelves in stores across the country as supermarkets struggle to restock to meet demand.

Now, several supermarkets are continuing to limit the number of products customers can buy in stores.

Shopping hours only for the elderly have also been implemented at some stores, to make sure those most at risk have all the household essentials they need.

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What to stock up on for coronavirus?

While the temptation can be to bulk buy items, shoppers are being urged to be fair and allow others to buy their essentials.

In a joint letter, UK retailers have asked customers to be considerate in their shopping, so others are not left without much-needed items.

The letter read: “There is enough for everyone if we all work together.”

If you would like to fill your cupboards, here are some items, but bear in mind the restrictions some supermarkets have imposed on numbers of items.

  • Tinned foods like beans, tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn, soups and vegetables – These can last a long time meaning fewer trips to the shops
  • Dry foods like pasta, rice, grains and seeds
  • Tea and coffee
  • Meat, butter, milk and bread – These items can all be frozen, ensuring longevity
  • Frozen fruit and vegetables
  • Cleaning products
  • Feminine hygiene products, children’s nappies and wipes
  • Pet food, pet litter
  • Household essentials like toilet paper and soap
  • Everyday medication like paracetamol or antihistamines

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There had been some debate over the use of ibuprofen with coronavirus symptoms, as some in the scientific community said it could worsen the virus.

Now the NHS has advised against taking ibuprofen if you have coronavirus symptoms like a dry cough, fever or aches and pains, and instead to take paracetamol.

Below are the recent rules implemented by supermarkets on bulk buying

Tesco: Three items per customer on all products from Thursday. All meat, fish, deli and salad counters are being closed. Tesco is also asking able shoppers to opt for click and collect or in-store shopping to free up home delivery slots for vulnerable and elderly people.

Asda: Again, three items on all food, toiletries and cleaning products from Wednesday. Closure of cafes and pizza counters.

Lidl: Imposing limits of four items per customer on a range of products including tinned foods, pasta and toilet paper.

Co-op: Restrictions on purchases to two per customer on some products. These include hand sanitiser, soap, tinned goods, pasta, rice, long-life milk, sugar, baby food and nappies.

Sainsbury’s: Cafes are already closed, as well as meat, fish and pizza service counters.

Aldi: Four-items-per-shopper limit on all products since the weekend.

Shopping hours specifically for the elderly are in place at:

Sainsbury’s – First hour of trading is for elderly people only, and those with a disability and who are over 70 have priority access to delivery slots from Monday

Iceland – Stores will open one hour early to allow older shoppers to buy food when it is quieter

Lidl Ireland – A statement read: “Starting March 17, from 9-11am, we will be implementing priority shopping hours for the elderly across all 163 Lidl stores in Ireland.

“This will include prioritised queuing and additional assistance for our older customers.

“We ask that the public respect this time period to allow more vulnerable customers to pick up the food and supplies they need.”

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