Watch: Dozens of shoppers queue outside supermarket amid coronavirus fears
14 March 2020, 10:01
Dozens of shoppers have been seen waiting outside a supermarket before opening hours in north east London amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic.
Footage shows shoppers braving the rain to queue outside an Aldi store on Lea Bridge Road in Walthamstow on Saturday morning.
People were waiting around the corner before the store had even opened its doors at 8am.
It comes as people across the globe stock up on essentials to prepare for the possibility of self-isolation amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Shoppers all over the UK have reported seeing empty shelves in their local supermarkets as panic buyers prepare for the possible impact of coronavirus.
Videos and photos posted to social media show shelves cleared of products, including hand sanitisers, pasta and toilet rolls as the outbreak worsens.
Looks like pasta is going to be the next currency 🙄 pic.twitter.com/yT0dYz9oFg
— 🏴 Leenie 🏴 #CyberNat (@LeensterFbsi) March 13, 2020
Supermarkets have been forced to place restrictions on certain items in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling.
The government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance previously said there is “absolutely no reason” for the British public to panic buy.
Tesco almost entirely sold out of dried pasta online and has now introduced a five limit number on several items, including anti-bacterial wipes, gels, and long-life milk.
One video filmed in a Costco in Chingford showed checkouts packed, with shoppers buying large amounts of bottled water, and clashes over toilet rolls.
In the west end of Glasgow, we do NOT buy peach toilet roll. Not even in a #toiletpaper crisis pic.twitter.com/wEwHEhwelO
— Tuesday GJ 🏴🇪🇺 (@TuesdayGJ) March 8, 2020
The person who filmed the clip told the MailOnline: “It was all very over the top, people were fighting over toilet rolls and being limited to one per person.
"They were talking about putting restrictions on the bottled water as well."
He added: "There were hardly any toilet rolls left and the water was running short."
Another clip showed shelves in an Asda in Surrey stripped of goods.
The video was posted on Facebook captioned: “Where has all the food, toilet paper and water gone?”
Shoppers vented their anger at the "selfish" panic buying.
