Long queues and empty shelves are becoming familiar scenes across the UK as panic buying grips the nation.
On Friday, shoppers lined up early waiting for stores to open as fears grow that the UK will be put into full lockdown.
Bread, fresh fruit and vegetables and dry goods such as pasta have disappeared from shelves.
It left one critical care nurse to make a tearful request to the public to stop panic buying.
Dawn Bilbrough, 51, from York, pleaded for people to "just stop taking more food than needed".
"I don't know how I'm supposed to stay healthy. And those people... people are just stripping the shelves of basic foods. You just need to stop it," she said in tears.
"Because it's people like me that are going to be looking after you when you're at your lowest so just stop it. Please!"
Her pleas come as the government looks at bringing in more stringent measures to ensure food is distributed more evenly among society.
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Boris Johnson, U.K. prime minister, center, speaks while Chris Whitty, U.K. chief medical officer, left, and Patrick Vallance, U.K. lead science adviser, listens during a daily coronavirus briefing inside number 10 Downing Street in London, U.K. Johnson said the U.K. can "turn the tide" on its burgeoning coronavirus outbreak within three months, as he said ministers will unveil measures to protect businesses and workers from the crisis. Getty Images -
Westminster Bridge is seen while totally empty of traffic and people in London, England. As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate, London's streets have grown quieter as more people are encouraged to work from home and respect "social distancing" in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. Getty Images -
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Tourist stalls remain closed on Westminster Bridge in London, England. As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate, London's streets have grown quieter as more people are encouraged to work from home and respect "social distancing" in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. Getty Images -
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A pedestrian, wearing a protective face mask, passes a Satander bank branch, operated by Banco Santander SA, in London, U.K., on Thursday, March 19, 2020. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is considering tougher action to fight the spread of the coronavirus in London but has denied it is planning to confine residents to their homes or seal off the city. Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg -
A pedestrian, wearing a protective face mask, passes a bank branch of Natwest, operated by National Westminster Bank Plc, in London, U.K. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is considering tougher action to fight the spread of the coronavirus in London but has denied it is planning to confine residents to their homes or seal off the city. Bloomberg -
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People queue for a supermarket, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Major supermarkets are limiting the amount of goods per customer and others have ask for support from the police in the days ahead.
It comes as violent scenes have been seen in some stores.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the public to be "considerate" in their shopping.
"Please be reasonable in your shopping, be considerate and thoughtful for others as you do it," he said.
"We’ve got good supply chains farm to fork – there’s no reason for the shops really to be empty.
“On mass buying and the price issue, I really hope that retailers will continue to be reasonable. I certainly wouldn’t want to see profiteering of any kind.”
His words have not helped ease the demand on stores though.
On Friday, Jon Tirrill witnessed long queues in Cheltenham.
"We did an early morning trip to Aldi for some essentials we were running out of. There were massive queues but once the doors opened it was ok," he said.
In London, Michelle Norgan is taking time off work so she can take her 69-year-old mother Linda Brown to the supermarket to help buy her enough food.
“From pretty much everyone I talk to, they thought today the whole of London was going to be lockdown," the 44-year-old said.
"Yesterday, every supermarket I went past there was queues outside.
“I've been in Iceland and Aldi four times and not been able to get anything. I've been buying odd things like chocolate fingers and biscuits because that's all that was left. There's no pasta, no freezables, a few bits of meat but no mince.
“If everyone's gone in there and bought a month's worth of shopping, which my mum can't do because she doesn't have the money, we're a little bit stuck because everyone has bought a month's supply of stuff or even three month's supply of stuff."
Her mother added: “I usually wake up at 10.30am, but this morning it was 7.30am. I didn't sleep last night because I was worried about getting up and going in. I’ve been trying to stay away from people."
Mohammed Ali said he is unable to go to the shops early and like many others finds there are no essentials left by the time he can.
“Yesterday, I couldn't get cereal or a parking space here. I can't go early in the morning because I have kids, so I have to drop them to the school then I have to go and everything is gone," the 46-year-old said.
"Some people have been here queuing before the supermarket opens."
In Wakefield, supermarkets are fully stocked when they open but are struggling to cope with customer demand as shelves swiftly empty within hours.
Sally Wood said: "It makes me so sad to see the shelves so empty. I came to the stores early to try and ensure I could get food for me parents. They are in self-isolation and I'm worried in case they can't get food."
Many stores are implementing a golden hour to allow elderly people to access them before larger crowds arrive to ensure they have access to essential goods.
