Tesco has imposed limits on online orders in attempts to limit panic buying and ensure everyone has access to essential goods and food.

Tesco.com customers will now be limited to 80 items in their basket, according to an email sent by the UK’s largest grocer this morning.

“We’re doing everything we can to increase the number of customers we can safely deliver to,” it said.

“That’s why we’ll be making some changes. From today, we’ll be capping the number of items you can add to your online basket to 80.”

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It went on to urge those who were not self-isolating to venture in store to limit pressure on its already saturated delivery network, which currently has no slots available in the majority of areas for three weeks.

Furthermore, it announced new measures to “help keep everyone safe” by bagging all online delivery items to “limit the amount of time customers and drivers need to spend on the doorstep”.

“We’re at full capacity for the next few weeks and we ask those who are able to safely come to stores to do so, instead of shopping online. This will help us to free up more slots for the more vulnerable,” it added.

Though every major online grocery delivery service is struggling to meet demand, with some like Ocado and Iceland banning new sign-ups and pausing their service to catch up with demand, Tesco is the first to impose basket limits on online orders.

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