British Retailers Set Restrictions Amid Coronavirus Panic-Buying
Stores across the UK are setting restrictions on sales as supplies of basic necessities are panic-bought amid COVID-19 lockdowns.
The new measures come after photos of elderly people standing in front of empty supermarket shelves circulated on social media.
Leading grocers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Ocado signed a letter on March 15 urging customers to shop responsibly and ensure supplies are distributed fairly.
In addition to limiting the number of shoppers allowed in the store at one time, some supermarkets set aside special shopping hours only for the elderly.
In the first part of the video, filmed on March 18, people are seen lining up to get into a Savers store in London’s Acton area. A staff member is seen limiting the number of people going in.
In the second part of the video, a group of elderly people are seen standing outside Iceland supermarket as an employee blocks the entry. In the third part of the video, the employee says, “If you’re not elderly, you can’t get in.” Credit: Ezzat Farag via Storyful
