Sainsbury’s has extended the dedicated shopping hour it created for elderly and vulnerable customers to also include NHS and social care workers.

As the coronavirus pandemic has continued to make headlines across the world, some people have used the outbreak as reason to stockpile essential food and household items at supermarkets.

Doing so means that other members of society may go without, such as older people who are unable to rush to the supermarkets and NHS workers who are working tirelessly for days on end.

Despite the publication of an open letter signed by several food giants urging consumers to be more considerate, panic buying has remained prevalent, prompting several supermarkets to introduce measures such as shopping hours for older people and the rationing of certain items.

From next week, health and care workers will be able to join elderly and vulnerable shoppers at Sainsbury’s​ between 8am and 9am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Sainsbury’s’ CEO Mike Coupe explained in an open letter that NHS and social care workers need only show their pass or ID when they come to the supermarket.

“Some of you fed back that you couldn’t find what you wanted during that hour, so we will try our best to have essential items on shelf for these customers,” Mr Coupe said.

“We will be working to keep our shelves well stocked and would encourage customers to arrive throughout the hour to prevent queues forming and help everyone keep a safe distance.”

The introduction of Sainsbury’s’ latest measure comes following the circulation of a heartbreaking video, in which a critical care nurse despaired after finding shelves empty on a trip to the supermarket.

“So I’ve just come out the supermarket, there’s no fruit and veg. I had a little cry in there,” said Dawn Bilbrough, from York, in the video.

“I’m a critical care nurse and I’ve just finished 48 hours of work. I just wanted to get some stuff in for the next 48 hours.”

“People are just stripping the shelves of basic foods,” she stated.

“You just need to stop it, because it’s people like me that are going to be looking after you when you’re at your lowest so just stop it.”

In addition to establishing dedicated shopping hours for certain individuals, Sainsbury’s has also changed its opening hours from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, in order to give staff time to restock shelves.

The opening times of its local stores and petrol stations will remain the same.

Mr Coupe said that if Sainsbury’s staff are unwell or need to self-isolate for 14 days, they will still be paid.

If you have any coronavirus symptoms, contact the online NHS 111 service and do not visit your GP or hospital.

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