'Be prepared - but please don't bulk buy and stockpile' pleads leader of Milton Keynes Council

The leader of MK Council has urged panicking shoppers to stop stockpiling, saying there is "no need" to bulk buy because of coronavirus.

Pete Marland says little is achieved by clearing the supermarket shelves all over Milton Keynes of hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial soaps, loo rolls, pasta, UHT milk and flu medication.

He fears the shortage of goods could eventually affect the city's most vulnerable people who are receiving social care.

"While it is sensible to be prepared, there is no need to panic buy. Supermarkets have assured us there is enough to go round."

People took to social media over the weekend to complain that certain items were proving impossible to buy as shops struggle to meet the huge demand.

"I went to five different shops and couldn't buy a single bag of pasta. As for finding hand sanitiser, that's nothing but a dream now," said one frustrated shopper.

Shoppers shared photos of empty shelves, and one woman sent in a picture of a hand sanitiser marked up at a whopping £11.99 in Newport Pagnell's Pound Plus discount store.

Another Milton Keynes seller is advertising on eBay a 'coronavirus kit' consisting of tiny 50ml hand gel, a paper mask and a pair of latex gloves - at a price of £7.50 plus £2.50 postage.

Meanwhile Tesco, Asda and Waitrose are restricting sales of the more popular stockpile items to a limited amount per customer. And chemist Boots has restricted sales of hand sanitisers to two per person.

According to a survey from Retail Economics, based on a sample of 2,000 shoppers, as many as one in 10 UK consumers is stockpiling.

Council leader Pete said the council is activating plans to make sure vulnerable people do not go without because of empty shelves in the supermarkets.

"We are ensuring we are prepared for a number of scenarios as the situation unfolds, particularly the continuation of social care services to the most vulnerable."

He added: "I understand that people are concerned, It is human natures to want to plan ahead. however the best advice to stay safe and healthy is to follow official help and advice.

"It does help to remember that the overall risk to life remains very low. The greater risk to the system would be we have to spend time dealing with the 'worried well'. People need to be sensible and follow advice."