These are the restrictions Edinburgh supermarkets are putting on shoppers after more pictures of empty shelves emerge

Supermarkets are urging the public to be considerate in how they shop as people continue to panic buy amid the coronavirus outbreak.

A number of major shops have also provided details on the restrictions they have put in place for some products.

An open letter, called ‘working to feed the nation,’ was sent out to customers by all major retailers which stressed staff are working closely with the Government and suppliers to keep food moving quickly through the system and making more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked.

The letter also said online delivery and click-and-collect services are being run at full capacity.

It added: “But we need your help too.

“We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop. We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. There is enough for everyone if we all work together.

“Together we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbours.

“Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home.

“We are doing all we can to rise to this challenge. Serving you and keeping you and everyone who works with us safe will always be our priority.”

The letter was sent along with company logos for Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Lidl, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, M&S, Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado and Costcutter.

It comes after more images of empty shelves across Edinburgh’s supermarkets came to light over the weekend.

The Lidl store in Dalry had empty freezers while the Aldi at Cameron Toll had a sign in the window advising shoppers that they could only purchase up to four of the same item.

Soap and fresh meat shelves were also bare at the Sainsbury’s at Cameron toll over the weekend.

Scottish Government national clinical director Jason Leitch urged the public not to panic buy and to “shop sensibly and with consideration”.

He said: “I understand that it can cause worry when you see shelves looking empty but it is vital that all of us share what is available.

“People should shop sensibly and with consideration for everyone needing to access key goods and products, including those who rely on foodbank donations and the staff who are key to keeping stores and shops open. If you are required to stay at home, think about who could support you by doing shopping for you – or if you or family or friends could use click and collect. In the same vein, we would encourage people to think about family, friends and neighbours they could support.”

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Restrictions

Tesco

Tesco is limiting purchases to two items per person on some products These include: Anti-bacterial products, dried pasta, tinned vegetables, toilet roll, tissues, UHT milk.

Customers are also being urged to shop as they normally would and not bulk buy, and bear in mind that it could mean others won’t be able to get something they need. While there will be a short term impact here, the overall stock levels are still good and staff are working round the clock.

Aldi

Aldi Scotland sent out a message on Facebook at the weekend saying they have good product availability, with staff “working tirelessly” to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as possible.

The message added: “As we have seen an unprecedented demand across our range, we will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them.

“Thank you to all our colleagues and customers for your patience during this time.”

Waitrose

Shops are not limiting items per customer at this time, but they are urging customers to buy only what they need so there's enough for everyone.

But a spokeswoman for Waitrose said: "We have introduced a temporary cap on certain products on Waitrose.com, including anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, pasta and some canned goods to ensure customers have access to the products they want.

"We continue to work with suppliers to help meet demand.”

Sainsbury’s

We’re limiting purchases of soap, hand wash, tissues, cleaning products, rice, pasta and UHT milk to five of each item and limiting purchases of pain relief to two. This is so that we can make sure all our customers can find everything they need.

Morrisons

A post on Morrisons’ website reads: “Responding to the latest guidance and advice from the World Health Organisation and the Government, we're making some practical changes to our delivery service from 13th March in order to protect the wellbeing of our customers and our colleagues.

“You may notice that delivery slots for our online groceries service are becoming less readily available as demand for home deliveries increases. We're working hard to facilitate as many orders as we can, however please be aware that you may need to book your slot further in advance than usual.

“You will also discover that there is a maximum order number on selected products so we can make sure our customers still have access to essential products.”

Ocado

Ocado’s website had crashed at the time of writing, but other news outlets have reported that toilet roll has been rationed to two 12-packs per customer.

Waitrose

The BBC reported that Waitrose is restricting online sales of certain anti-bacterial soaps and wipes.

Asda

A message on Asda’s website reads: “To try and help limit the spread of bacteria, we’ve put additional cleaning materials in our stores and refocussed our cleaners who are cleaning on a more frequent schedule in the high traffic areas of our stores. We are also topping up the cleaning stations at the front of our stores more frequently, making it easier to sanitize trolleys and baskets before and after use.

“Like most retailers, we have seen a heightened demand for products both in stores and online – particularly on items like hand sanitizer and cleaning products and as a result, have implemented a two item limit on purchasing these items.

“Whilst we are doing everything we can to maintain the availability of products for all our customers, we are asking our customers to shop responsibly in our stores and online so that everyone has access to the essentials. We are also grateful to our colleagues for their efforts to make sure our shelves are being refilled regularly and would ask customers to be patient with them as they try to meet this increased demand for products on the shop floor.

“We know some customers are opting to shop more online and have seen an increase in demand for home delivery. Our online business is growing and we do have capacity to take on more orders – however; we would ask customers who can be flexible in their delivery slots to consider less popular delivery times. All of our drivers are also equipped with sanitizer spray so they can continually ensure our delivery operation remains clean and hygienic and totes can be wiped down where necessary.”

Iceland

Iceland has set up a section of their website to answer frequently asked questions, saying: “We have had to place temporary quantity restrictions on some items so as many customers as possible can get the items they need. We’re working hard with our suppliers to help meet demand. Please note there may be similar restrictions on some items in store.”

If you know of a vulnerable person or a group offering their help to the less fortunate – join our new community Facebook group for Edinburgh here, and help spread the message.