Body bags, face masks and testing kits were on the ‘stockpiling exercise’ list for local authorities (Picture; Shutterstock/PA/EPA)

The government plans to stock up on body bags as the coronavirus continues to rip through the country, according to a leaked confidential memo.

Clinical waste containers, aprons, face masks, testing kits and hand soap were also among the essential items listed on the ‘high importance’ email to local resilence forums – partnerships bringing local authorities and public services together.

Eye protectors, detergent, gloves and alcohol hand rub are also on the ‘stockpiling exercise’ list of the emergency ‘red control’ division of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, according to the Sun.

It comes despite government officials insisting there is ‘absolutely no need’ for Brits to panic-buy, as supermarket shelves across the country were cleared of essential items. The email was sent across the country to the forums, whose job is to identify disaster risks and to make sure their local regions are well prepared.


Body bags were on the list of essential items sent to local resilience forums (Picture: Shutterstock)

It comes as the rate of infection in the UK gets faster (Picture: Reuters)

The Government is also said to be arranging 200 ‘mobile morgues’ to be set up at hospitals across the country.



Local authorities were reportedly emailed about ‘additional body storage capacity’ for 15,000 corpses in the event of a more severe outbreak.

Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster Nickie Aiken confirmed London’s Hyde Park would be turned into a morgue if disease continues to claim lives in the UK.

An MHCLG spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘The Government is planning for every eventuality including the reasonable worst case scenario, that is why we have published our Action Plan. Crucially, this does not mean we expect it to happen.

The MHCLG stockpiling email comes as the Government urges shoppers not to panic-buy or clear supermarket shelves (Picture: PA)

There have been 319 confirmed cases in Britain and five deaths from coronavirus (Picture: Reuters)

‘We are continuing to work with local partners and sector organisations in their plans to manage the potential impacts of a Covid-19 outbreak and any implications for the delivery of public services.’

A nationwide lockdown is looking increasingly likely after a massive surge in infections over the past past week, with 319 confirmed cases and five deaths.

Many have difficulty distinguishing the difference between having coronavirus or a cold or the flu – as demonstrated by this guide.

In a bid to put panicking Brits at ease, Culture Secretary urged shoppers not to buy more than they usually would.

He said: ‘We are confident that supermarkets have the supply chains necessary to keep shelves stocked for people.

A Coronavirus notice at St.Thomas’s Hospital in London (Picture: EPA)

More and more people are wearing medical masks in the capital as a precaution (Picture: Getty)

‘The number one thing is to ensure we work with the supermarkets and others to ensure that their supply chains are there, that the shelves keep being restocked as people purchase things.

‘We are confident the supermarket supply chains can keep refilling the shelves.

‘I understand people’s concerns if they go to the supermarket and see that… products are not there. There really is no need to buy things in volume.’

Despite limited availability of hand-sanitiser and long-life products in many supermarkets, retailers have said they are confident the shortage will not last for long.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive Helen Dickinson said it was ‘working constructively with Government officials to ensure that supermarkets remain stocked and supply chains continue to function as normal for the foreseeable future’.

She added: ‘While coronavirus has increased the demand of certain products in the short-term, we are confident that any disruption will remain limited and consumers will continue to be able to choose from a wide selection of foods and other products in stores across the country.’



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