Many York supermarkets are packed today as people stock up amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Residents have been sharing photographs of aisle jammed with shoppers and empty shelves this weekend.
One visitor to Asda at Monks Cross on Sunday morning described it as ‘proper chaos’.
On Twitter Kathryn Myhill described the ‘absolute scenes in Morrisons’ which had sold out of pasta, flour and chopped tomatoes.
Others showed pictures of empty shelves from the supermarkets this weekend.
Tesco Askham Bar York. This was pasta section. Toilet roll and kitchen roll completely empty. Paracetamol and ibuprofen stock greatly reduced. No rice, only single portion microwave pouches pic.twitter.com/whUMsnVRdm
— Steve Brownett-Gale (@Stevie_BG) March 14, 2020
Finally found some in shop #3 (Morrison’s) but Jesus wept, look at the shelves #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/jHuuLLrYJC
— Kris (@Kris_McGee) March 14, 2020
But not everyone reported panic buying. On Twitter, Jamie Campbell said: “I’m feeling very proud of the people in York. I went to Tesco this morning and while it was a bit busier than normal no queues and I didn’t see anyone taking the piss stock piling.”
British Retail Consortium members have sent a joint letter to consumers urging everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops well stocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible.
“In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need.”