Tesco has said that most groceries will have to be bought by shoppers in-store as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The supermarket chain said it wasn’t able to meet demand – that’s despite the fact it has increased its online grocery shopping capacity, especially for elderly and vulnerable people.
Between 85 per cent and 90 per cent of all food bought will require a visit to a store.
In the first few weeks of the crisis, ‘significant panic buying’ cleared the supply chain of certain items. This has now stabilised and Tesco said food supplies are ‘returning to normal.’ Its sales jumped 30 per cent during that time.
Dave Lewis, Chief Executive said: “In this time of crisis we have focused on four things; food for all, safety for everyone, supporting our colleagues and supporting our communities.
“Initial panic buying has subsided and service levels are returning to normal. There are significant extra costs in feeding the nation at the moment but these are partially offset by the UK Business rates relief.
Tesco is a business that rises to a challenge and this will be no different. I would like to thank colleagues for their unbelievable commitment and customers for their help and understanding. Together, we can do this.”
Sainsbury’s meanwhile is asking people to pay by card in store….
Help stop the spread while shopping in our stores pic.twitter.com/7scfUPQbRj
— Sainsbury's (@sainsburys) April 6, 2020
And China has ended its coronavirus lockdown measures in the city of Wuhan, almost three months after the virus emerged from a wet market.
Authorities have begun allowing its millions of residents to leave the city without authorisation.
The new rules came into force at midnight on Wednesday.
People are now allowed to enter and leave on the condition a smartphone application, powered by data-tracking and government surveillance, shows they are healthy and have not been in contact with anyone infected with COVID-19.