The Health Secretary has warned the government is ready to ‘takefurther measures’ if shoppers continue to stockpile food irresponsibly.

Matt Hancock said he was ‘confident’ shops will not run out of food but could not guarantee it and warned the ministers could take action.

When asked if food supply might be at risk, Mr Hancock told Sky: ‘No, one of the things we are confident about is that the food supply will continue.’

He was then pressed to guarantee this would not be the case, and he said: ‘Well we are confident about it. What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough.

‘I understand why people might be stocking up but peoplehave got to behaveresponsibly.

‘Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling onpeople to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up mighthave on others.

‘And of course we stand ready to take further measures ifthat’s necessary.’

Supermarkets and stores sent a joint letter to consumers urging everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.

Shoppers have been panic-buying essentials, including toilet paper, as fears intensify over the spread of Covid-19.

Retailers are currently working ‘round the clock’ to help customers get the items they need, the British Retail Consortium said. The letter aims to reassure customers, while calling on them to support each other during the crisis.

It said: ‘We know that many of you are worried about the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need.’

The letter added: ‘But we need your help too. We would askeveryone to be considerate in the way they shop.

‘We understand your concerns, but buying more than is neededcan 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.’

Firms are working closely with the Government and suppliers, and have arranged more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked, the letter added.

And outlets with online delivery and click-and-collectservices are running them at full capacity.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British RetailConsortium, said: ‘Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops wellstocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible.

‘In the face of unprecedented demand as a result ofcoronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers tosupport each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products theyneed.’

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said: ‘I fully support the call from British food retailers urging us all to be considerate in the way we shop and look out for our neighbours.

‘By working together, our leading supermarkets have providedthe reassurance there is plenty of stock available and people should buyproducts as they normally would.

‘We are in regular contact with the food industry and retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need.’

UK government’s coronavirus action plan

Boris Johnson has revealed the government’s battle plan to tackle coronavirus in the UK.

The key points from the announcement, made on 3 March, are:

– If police lose ‘significant staff’ numbers to illness, they would ‘concentrate ‘on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order’.
– In a ‘stretching scenario’, it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks.
– Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own illness and caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare ‘will be critical’ for businesses.

– The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff.
– The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. They should also ensure family vaccines are up to date and check on family, friends and neighbours. They should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under.
– The public will be asked to accept that ‘the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines’.
– If coronavirus becomes established, there will be a focus on essential services and helping those ‘most at risk to access the right treatment’.
– During the mitigation phase, when the virus is much more widespread, ‘pressures on services and wider society may become significant and clearly noticeable’.
– The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services.
– There will be increased Government communication with Parliament, the public and the media if the virus becomes more widespread.
– All Government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus.

– If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings.
– It is possible that an outbreak or pandemic of Covid-19 could come in multiple waves.
– Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people’s homes.
– Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called ‘back to duty’.
– Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems.
– There is a distribution strategy for sending out key medicines and equipment to NHS and social care.
– This strain of coronavirus is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning ‘Covid-19 has the potential to spread extensively’.
– Everyone is susceptible to catching the disease and thus it is ‘more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected’.
– There could be an ‘increase in deaths arising from the outbreak, particularly among vulnerable and elderly groups’.
– While most people will suffer mild to moderate symptoms, similar to seasonal flu, some will need hospital care due to pneumonia developing.
– Young children can become infected and ‘suffer severe illness’, but overall the illness is less common in the under-20s.

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