AS panic buying continues amid coronavirus fears, supermarkets in the UK are implementing new rules such as rationing and trimming service hours.
The moves came as some analysts warned the government of “riots and civil disobedience” if supply could not meet the burgeoning customer demand.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma had stated there was no need of panic, but the crowds at supermarkets today (18) suggested that shoppers were on a hysteric spree.
Following Aldi’s decision to start rationing on Monday, Sainsbury’s, too, announced limits on purchases, and special slots for the elderly and vulnerable.
Purchases were limited to a three of any grocery product and two of highly sought-after items such as hygiene products, long-life milk and tissues.
Asda, too, followed suit citing “a heightened demand”.
Waitrose wrote to customers, saying that it would be “reluctantly” limiting individual sale of in-demand online items.
Tesco, meanwhile, announced shortening of service hours (6am to 10pm) to “replenish the shelves and support our online grocery service at a time when demand is high”.
Morrisons said it could create up to 3,500 new jobs to meet the “surging demand” for its home delivery service.
Sharma said he understood “the rationale” behind panic buying, but allayed concerns over a crisis. The supermarkets, he added, were taking “sensible measures”.
“As shelves get restocked I'm quite sure people will take the logical steps and actually shop as they would normally shop when they go to do their weekly or daily shop,” he told Sky News, hoping that the “vast majority” would be “extremely sensible about it”.
The business secretary said he was regularly discussing developments with departments such as Defra, and was “confident” about “food resilience”.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)