'BE RESPONSIBLE'
Brits warned to STOP panic-buying amid coronavirus chaos and told there IS enough food
BRITS have been warned to "be responsible" and stop panic buying amid coronavirus chaos because there IS enough food for everyone.
In today's daily Downing Street annoucement, Brits were urged to "stay calm" and stop stripping shop shelves bare by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary George Eustice.
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The MP also said he needs everyone to "play their part" - as he revealed the plastic bag charge will be removed amid the chaos.
Mr Eustice urged people to think of NHS workers as he outlined measures to bolster the food supply chain.
He said: "We recognise that this is a challenging time and there are many things the Government is asking the nation to do differently as we work together to fight this pandemic.
"Be responsible when you shop and think of others.
"Buying more than you need means others may be left without."
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Today's No10 briefing heard how:
- Brits should 'stay calm' and not panic buy as there IS enough food
- NHS chief says we should 'all be ashamed' of depriving key workers of essentials
- Supermarkets will waive plastic bag charge for all shoppers
- Panic buyers have spent more than £1billion on food in three weeks
- Environment Secretary George Eustice says food production is up by 50 per cent
The briefing also revealed greedy Brits have spent a billion pounds on stockpiling essentials in just three weeks - leaving vulnerable pensioners without food and toilet paper.
NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis said panic buyers are depriving hardworking NHS staff, adding: “Frankly we should all be ashamed.”
He said: "It is critical that by not stockpiling, by not selfishly shopping, that our health workers are able to get access to what they need too."
The chief also said following all the government's advice can "save somebody's life".
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson stressed today there was "plenty of food" as she too urged Brits to stop panicking.
There will be increased UK production on fruit and veg - with Ms Dickinson saying there will be less choice but there is enough.
Food production is also up 50 per cent - with Mr Eustice reassuring the UK the government will keep a "close eye" on shops exploiting the pandemic and hiking up prices.
The government has now set up a "war room" for food industry executives to address the crisis as cases in the UK today broke 5,000.
Former Nestle executive Chris Tyas is now being parachuted in to Whitehall to oversee the food supply, Sky News reports.
When asked about possible military involvement in the supply chain, Mr Eustice said: "We are obviously giving increasing thought within government over how we will protect those who may be self-isolating because they are vulnerable and I know more will be said about this in due course."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now be speaking to supermarket bosses about efforts to keep supplies flowing.
Shoppers today queued from 5am to get their hands on goods as panic buying continues to grip the UK.
Stores have now been forced to introduce rationing for the first time since World War Two in a desperate bid to stop the chaos.
WAR-TIME RATIONING
Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda set a limit of three for any item and two for essential products, such as toilet roll and handwash.
Extra staff have also been drafted in to help with the demand.
Apocalyptic scenes in stores have become more frequent in recent weeks as the deadly disease continues to spread across the UK.
Fights have even erupted as shoppers frantically tried to get their hands on the last goods in supermarkets.
The chaos led to food retailers urging the government for help from the police and even the military to help stem the violence.
Yesterday, an elderly woman was pictured walking through an empty supermarket after panic buyers stripped its shelves bare.
And earlier this week, a critical care nurse broke down in tears after she was unable to buy basic food at the end of a 48-hour shift.
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Dawn Bilbrough, 51, made an emotional appeal to Brits, begging: "Please just stop it.”
A shocking picture also emerged of a paramedic staring at empty shelves after lockdown fears saw people panic buy supplies.
Supermarkets have now announced they will give NHS and emergency service workers a special shopping hour to buy their essentials.
Similar measures have also been introdced for the elderly and vulnerable.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock has previously implored selfish shoppers to “behave responsibly” and “consider the impact that their stocking up might have on others”.
It comes as Boris Johnson yesterday all pubs, restaurants and cafes would close until further notice.
Shops can remain open still and restaurants will still be allowed to do takeaways.
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The government lockdown will be reviewed after the two-week shutdown ends.
Mr Johnson said: "Clearly, there are licencing arrangements which will make it relatively simple to do should that be necessary.
"We will enforce it strictly, but in reality everybody can see the imperative of doing what is necessary, of protecting our NHS and saving lives."
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