The rules and restrictions regarding lockdown and the global coronavirus pandemic have changed yet again today and a lot of people are starting to fear that we’re set for another lockdown in the next couple of weeks and you know what that means: people are heading to the their local supermarkets to buy as much toilet paper as they can.

Images VIA

Pictures have emerged on social media of your stereotypical Karens and Terrys rolling around Asda and Sainsburys with their trolley full to the brim with toilet paper and this has led to Andrew Opie – Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium – to release the following statement urging shoppers not to panic buy products:

Retailers have done an excellent job in ensuring customers have access to food and necessities throughout this pandemic.

Since March, retail businesses have strengthened their supply chains as well as investing hundreds of millions to make stores safe and secure for customers; this includes perspex screens, social distancing measures and additional hygiene measures. As such, retail remains a safe space for consumers, even under future lockdowns.

Supply chains are stronger than ever before and we do not anticipate any issues in the availability of food or other goods under any future lockdown. Nonetheless, we urge consumers to be considerate of others and shop as they normally would.

Yeah, I can kinda see why people were really worried during the first lockdown about food supplies and toilet paper etc, but the fact that that went on for about three months and there were never really any problems should suggest that we’ll be well equipped to deal with this one as apparently it’s not going to be as full on as the last one. Can see that probably changing in about a week given the constant policy U turns from the government though.

For more of the same, check out when this arcade made a toilet paper grabber game early on in the pandemic. Probably too soon.