SHOPPERS across the North-East have been urged to support the "vulnerable" as panic buying continues to leave supermarket shelves bare of essentials amidst coronavirus fears.

Major names including Tesco, Asda, Morrison's and Waitrose have confirmed they are limiting customers' purchase of antibacterial hand soap, toilet rolls and some dry foods.

Last night, a reader of The Northern Echo sent in a picture of the scene at ASDA Darlington which shows shelves bare of hand sanitisers, medication and toilet rolls.

In recent days the potential spread of COVID-19 has forced buyers to take to the supermarket shelves in a bid to stock up over concerns they may have to self-isolate.

However prompting fresh warnings for concerned Britons to "come together" instead of panic buying, an organisation representing major supermarkets said people needed to support "one another and the vulnerable."

On Friday, Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Our members continue to work round-the-clock to ensure consumers have access to the products they need.

"Retailers are putting in place the measures necessary to meet the current increase in demand.

"Where people are self-isolating it is not just up to supermarkets, but also friends and neighbours to support them in getting the goods they need.

"This is a time for everyone to come together and support one another, particularly those who are vulnerable."

What items are restricted and where?

  • Tesco has now introduced a five item limit on a number of products. These include dried pasta, as well as antibacterial wipes, gels and sprays. Long life milk is also limited.
  • Asda has limited hand sanitiser to two bottles per person, both in-store and online, but has no food restrictions. Many of their antibacterial products are out of stock online.
  • Waitrose has restrictions that only apply to online shops, and on certain antibacterial soaps and wipes.
  • Morrisons has limited bleach and disinfectant to six per customer, toilet paper to four per customer, baby milk powder to four per customer, bar soap to four per customer, and hand sanitiser to two per customer.
  • Meanwhile, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Ocado, and Aldi have so far placed no restrictions on their stock.