Major supermarkets in the UK have started to ration certain products after some shoppers began stockpiling over coronavirus fears.

Tesco is limiting sales of antibacterial products, dried pasta, long life milk, children's medicines, water and tinned vegetables to five items per person at its stores and online.

Asda is restricting some types of hand sanitiser to two bottles per person.

Image: While several lines of pasta have sold out at Tesco, others are being restricted

Sky News found that the Morrisons website is limiting purchases of hand wash and children's medicines - but the retailer claims that this is unrelated to the coronavirus.

Online supermarket Ocado had also put limits on buying several products - with shoppers restricted to two packs of toilet roll, two bottles of antibacterial gel and three bottles of Calpol.


Sainsbury's does not seem to be limiting purchases.

Responding to disgruntled shoppers unable to buy toilet roll at their Tesco branches, the supermarket tweeted: "We know there's demand for certain products at the moment and we're working really hard to maintain availability of those to help customers.

"We have taken a common-sense approach to make sure everyone can assess [sic] essentials and have introduced a maximum purchase limit (5 per customer) on a few items. Products include: anti-bac gel, wipes, sprays, bleach, dried pasta, UHT milk, tinned veg, kids medications & water.

"Any other items outside the restriction will be monitored through the store manager's discretion to ensure fairness to all customers."

Image: Empty shelves in the pasta aisle of Tesco on Sunday

There have been widespread reports of shelves emptying as a result of the outbreak, which is spreading rapidly around the world.

Panic buying has taken place despite the government's chief scientific adviser that there is "absolutely no reason" for the British public to panic buy food or other supplies.

Sir Patrick Vallance said such measures would only be brought in if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes.

Image: Tesco is limiting UHT milk to five per customer

Last week, Ocado warned that people were placing larger orders than usual.

On Friday, the government pledged the public will continue to have "the food and supplies they need".

Environment secretary George Eustice held talks with supermarket and trade body bosses over food supply contingencies and said he was reassured retailers were taking "all the necessary steps" to keep shelves well-stocked.

Image: Tesco is limiting purchases of all soaps to five per person

At the time, he said: "Today I spoke with chief executives from the UK's leading supermarkets to discuss their response to coronavirus.

"The retailers reassured me they have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need.

"Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and have robust plans in place to minimise disruption."

It is understood that Tesco believes it is taking a common sense approach to ensure all customers are able to buy what they need.

Image: The Morrisons website currently prevents customers from buying any more than two bottles of Carex hand wash

While nationally a set number of products are being limited, there may be occasions locally where a larger range is restricted.

Despite reports, it is yet to place widespread restrictions on baked beans, ready meals and toilet roll.

In Australia, shortages of toilet roll have resulted in punch ups, as sporadic outbreaks of unrest are occurring as a result of the virus.

Mr Eustice said on Friday that the government and the industry will remain in regular contact on the issue.

Amid reports of a spike in the sales of toilet roll, Mike Docker, managing director of paper firm WEPA UK, said: "The ongoing coronavirus situation means we have seen a large spike in demand over the last week and sales continue to be very strong.

"Our excellent supply chain team has met all our sales orders so far and our manufacturing is geared up to meet these higher volumes. We are continually monitoring the situation very carefully and are studying sales patterns."