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Version 30 Version 31
Coronavirus: How do I get a food parcel? Coronavirus: How do I get a food parcel?
(about 13 hours later)
People have been stockpiling food, supermarket online delivery slots are full, items are restricted in stores and vulnerable people are being sent food parcels by the government.People have been stockpiling food, supermarket online delivery slots are full, items are restricted in stores and vulnerable people are being sent food parcels by the government.
So what is being done to make sure people can get food?So what is being done to make sure people can get food?
How does food parcel delivery work?How does food parcel delivery work?
A total of one-and-a-half million people in England have been identified as being extremely medically vulnerable.A total of one-and-a-half million people in England have been identified as being extremely medically vulnerable.
The government has contacted 900,000 of those and plans to distribute free food parcels every week to more than 50,000 who have no family or friends to help them. The government has contacted 900,000 of these and plans to distribute free food parcels every week to more than 50,000 who have no family or friends to help them.
The first 4,000 were delivered at the weekend.The first 4,000 were delivered at the weekend.
The identical parcels contain essential non-perishable supplies like pasta, cereal, fruit, tea bags, potatoes and tinned goods as well as toilet paper. The identical parcels contain essential supplies such as pasta, cereal, fruit, tea bags, potatoes and tinned goods, as well as toilet paper.
A food distribution company will deliver the packs to people's doorsteps, although in some cases local authorities, charities or emergency services may help out.A food distribution company will deliver the packs to people's doorsteps, although in some cases local authorities, charities or emergency services may help out.
The government is working in partnership with the food industry, local government, and voluntary groups and could potentially deliver hundreds of thousands every week.The government is working in partnership with the food industry, local government, and voluntary groups and could potentially deliver hundreds of thousands every week.
What are supermarkets doing to keep customers safe?What are supermarkets doing to keep customers safe?
Branches of the main supermarkets have introduced policies to keep customers at a safe distance from one other.Branches of the main supermarkets have introduced policies to keep customers at a safe distance from one other.
These include somebody on the door controlling customer numbers, and spacing out those queuing outside.These include somebody on the door controlling customer numbers, and spacing out those queuing outside.
Inside, many supermarkets are providing hand sanitiser for customers and floor markers for till queues.Inside, many supermarkets are providing hand sanitiser for customers and floor markers for till queues.
In addition, some are putting up screens between the cashiers and the public.In addition, some are putting up screens between the cashiers and the public.
Other initiatives include Tesco introducing floor markings showing which direction to walk down the aisles in some of its larger stores. Morrisons has a queuing zone if there are too many customers to be separated by the floor markings, while Asda is bringing in directional barriers.Other initiatives include Tesco introducing floor markings showing which direction to walk down the aisles in some of its larger stores. Morrisons has a queuing zone if there are too many customers to be separated by the floor markings, while Asda is bringing in directional barriers.
There is plenty to go roundThere is plenty to go round
Despite empty shelves caused by panic buying in the past couple of weeks, the supermarkets say there is no shortage of food.Despite empty shelves caused by panic buying in the past couple of weeks, the supermarkets say there is no shortage of food.
The problem has been getting deliveries to shops as fast as people buy key items, they say.The problem has been getting deliveries to shops as fast as people buy key items, they say.
The stores have now taken action to combat this by introducing strict purchase limits on individual items. The stores are now taking action to combat this by introducing strict purchase limits on individual items.
Tesco has doubled the amount of some key items arriving in stores, including toilet rolls, pasta and rice. Sainsbury's says that since it put limits on individual items, they have stayed on shelves for longer.Tesco has doubled the amount of some key items arriving in stores, including toilet rolls, pasta and rice. Sainsbury's says that since it put limits on individual items, they have stayed on shelves for longer.
What else have supermarkets done?What else have supermarkets done?
The supermarkets have introduced allotted times of the day when only the elderly, vulnerable and disabled, or NHS staff and other key workers, can shop.The supermarkets have introduced allotted times of the day when only the elderly, vulnerable and disabled, or NHS staff and other key workers, can shop.
Several food retailers are "drastically cutting" the range of products they sell. They are also telling manufacturers to stop making some products to focus on those for which there is greatest demand.Several food retailers are "drastically cutting" the range of products they sell. They are also telling manufacturers to stop making some products to focus on those for which there is greatest demand.
How are online deliveries holding up?How are online deliveries holding up?
This has been a sticking point for many people, who are finding themselves unable to book slots and follow Prime Minister Boris Johnson's request to use online deliveries and stay at home. This has been a sticking point for many people who, despite following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's request to stay at home and use online deliveries, find themselves unable to book slots.
Tesco is limiting online orders to 80 items only and is encouraging shoppers who can get out to use its click and collect service at local stores. It says this will free up home delivery slots for more vulnerable customers. Tesco, which last week limited online orders to 80 items only, has now expanded its home delivery and click-and-collect services to about 780,000 slots this week - up from 660,000 two weeks ago. It has plans to add another 100,000 slots in the coming weeks.
Asda is adopting the same policy and is also recruiting more delivery drivers. It has also recruited more than 7,500 staff and added more than 200 new vans to its fleet.
Sainsbury's has introduced priority slots for elderly and vulnerable customers and is contacting eligible customers on its database. Asda is also recruiting more delivery drivers, while Sainsbury's has introduced priority slots for elderly and vulnerable customers and is contacting eligible customers on its database.
Morrisons is creating 3,500 new jobs to help expand its online delivery service. Morrisons is creating 3,500 new jobs to help expand its online delivery service, while Waitrose says it will set aside at least a quarter of its delivery slots to elderly or vulnerable people and is working to identify eligible customers.
Waitrose says it will set aside at least 25% of its delivery slots to elderly or vulnerable people and is working to identify eligible customers.
What is the government doing?What is the government doing?
Rules have been relaxed by the government to allow supermarkets to work together.Rules have been relaxed by the government to allow supermarkets to work together.
This means they can share resources, such as distribution depots, delivery vans and staff, as well as co-ordinating stock levels across the country.This means they can share resources, such as distribution depots, delivery vans and staff, as well as co-ordinating stock levels across the country.
Rules around drivers' hours have been eased and the 5p plastic bag charge is being waived for online orders, to speed up deliveries.Rules around drivers' hours have been eased and the 5p plastic bag charge is being waived for online orders, to speed up deliveries.