Sainsbury’s has begunrationing the sale of groceries in a bid to stop customers stockpiling duringthe UK coronavirus pandemic.

Customers will now only be able to buy three of any grocery product, and a maximum of two of the most popular items, such as toilet paper, soap or long-life milk. The supermarket has struggled to keep their shelves stocked over the past week due to an intense spate of panic-buying.

The move comes after Aldibecame the first UK supermarket to implement rationing on Monday, withcustomers now only able to buy four items of any one product during theirvisit.

Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Mike Coupe said: ‘We have enough food coming into the system, but are limiting sales so that it stays on shelves for longer and can be bought by a larger numbers of customers.’

He also announced thatthe supermarket would be closing its in-store cafes and meat, fish and pizzacounters, as well strengthening its online services. From Monday, the companyexpanded their click and collect service across the UK.

Mr Coupe continued: ‘This means we can free up warehouse and lorry capacity for products that customers really need.

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‘It will also free uptime for our store colleagues to focus on keeping the shelves as well stockedas possible.’

Sainsbury’s have alsojoined other UK supermarkets in only opening to elderly and vulnerablecustomers for the first hour of trading today.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had advised members of the public above the age of 70 to isolate for around 12 weeks as he shut down pubs, restaurants and theatres during a press conference on Monday.

The government appeared to have made a u-turn on its coronvirus strategy, after initially being reluctant to introduce social distancing measures to stop the spread of the virus. The World Health Organisation had criticised the UK’s approach.

So-far 71 people have died from Covid-19 in the UK, with the youngest person aged 45.

Mr Coupe said as well as having hours only for elderly customers, Sainsbury’s stores would also close an hour later, so that other customers do not miss out as a result.

The Sainsbury’s CEO willstep down from the role on May 31, where he then be succeeded by Simon Roberts,who is currently the retail and operations director.

However, with UK health authorities predicting the peak of the virus is 10 to 14 weeks away, Mr Coupe may defer his retirement.

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