Sainsbury’s has intensified its coronavirus rationing in a bid to thwart panic buying, with the disease tearing through the UK.

As of this morning, customers will only be able to buy a maximum of three grocery products, and two of the more popular products including toilet paper, soap and milk.

In an email to Sainsbury's customers, chief executive Mike Coupe has outlined the store's news measures.

They also include a special shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable, and a boost to online deliveries and in-store collection services.

He said Sainsbury’s “has enough food coming into the system, but is limiting sales so that it stays on shelves for longer and can be bought by a larger number of customers”.

“We still have enough food for everyone – if we all just buy what we need for us and our families”, Coupe added.

Shops will be closing their cafes and meat, fish and pizza counters to free up warehouse and lorry space for essential products.

Online customers who are over 70 or have a disability will get priority access to online delivery slots.

Sainsbury’s is also expanding its click and collect service and increasing the number of collection sites across the country.

The supermarket giant will now open from 6am and 10pm as the UK moves to restrict movement in a bid to control the virus.

Aldi has already said shoppers can only buy four of any of its products.

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Meanwhile, Tesco has reduced its buying limits from five to two for essential items such as antibacterial gels, wipes and sprays, dried pasta and UHT milk.

The coronavirus death toll yesterday rose to 17 in the UK, with the NHS cancelling all non-emergency surgery.

A statement from NHS England said: “A further 14 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died.

“Patients were aged between 93 and 45 years old and had underlying health conditions. Their families have been informed.”

A second person in Scotland – a patient who was elderly and had underlying health conditions – has also died, Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said.

• Coronavirus
• Sainsburys
• Aldi
• NHS
• Tesco
• Glastonbury Festival
• Queen
• Space

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