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Date Published: 16/03/2020

ARCHIVED - Supermarkets limit capacity as panic buying continues in Spanish shops

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

One metre between shoppers, one in and one out, one person only, no cash thank you!

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Supermarkets limit capacity as panic buying continues in Spanish shops

Mercadona has joined with other Spanish supermarkets in enforcing measures to control the situation within its supermarkets as the public continue to ignore the requests of the regional and national governments and continue to panic buy, overwhelming supermarkets.

In spite of multiple requests not to panic buy and not to rush en-masse into supermarkets, the public have been doing precisely that, a situation which is not only occurring in Spain, but also in other parts of the world.

Scenes of panic buying are generalised, as supermarket shelves are stripped of fresh produce, meat, milk, water, hygiene products and baby products, customers cramming into the aisles, and standing in enormous queues with full baskets.

The supermarkets continue to issue reassurances that there is plenty of product in their logistical warehouses, and the main problem faced is filling the shelves quickly enough to cope with the additional demand; supplies are guaranteed, DO NOT PANIC BUY.

Remember, ANY CONTACT with anyone increases your risk, so going shopping is when you are at your most vulnerable. Shop sensibly, and try to maintain the minimum 1 metre distance between shoppers.

Mercadona has issued specific information and taken extraordinary measures to control the situation, although similar measures are also being applied in other chains:

- Only one person per shopping trip. Do not bring the family, children or groups to avoid overcrowding and minimise the unnecessary risk of exposure to coronavirus.

- Do not shop if you are in at risk group; this includes the elderly, people with chronic diseases or medical conditions which make them particularly susceptible to coronavirus.

- Spread your purchases throughout the day; do not all rush to the store at opening time. This helps staff to serve customers throughout the day without huge queues forming.

- Do not panic buy large quantities of products. Buy only what you need: the supply of basic necessities is more than guaranteed.

- Pay with a credit card and avoid the use of cash.

- Use the gloves provided to handle perishable goods

- The capacity of the supermarkets will be controlled and the minimum required distance between people will be indicated by signage and security personnel in the stores. The minimum is 1 metres between shoppers. Please observe the distance minimums requested in order to safeguard your own health and that of fellow shoppers.

- Stores will have a maximum capacity level per store, depending on its size, that guarantees the preventive distance of 1 meter between any person. Access will not be allowed once this capacity has been filled, and clients will only be permitted to enter as other clients leave the premises.

- On the public access road to each supermarket, a minimum distance of 1 meter will be marked for people waiting their turn to enter the door of the supermarkets, which must be respected and will be enforced by security.

- The opening hours of Mercadona stores will be from 09:00 to 20:00 although this could change given the exceptional nature of the situation.

The stores will remain supplied, reinforcing and guaranteeing the supply of basic products and basic necessities, so that our clients can make their daily purchases.

In order to protect food safety, in no case and under no circumstances will product returns be accepted.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND INTERNAL MEASURES

Likewise, Mercadona has adopted internal measures to reinforce the health and safety of its workers and reinforced cleaning services with external services and contracted additional staff and security personnel.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/. Please note, Facebook is limiting the number of posts we are able to make in local groups, and the sheer volume of incoming information is overwhelming, so all updates and cancellations of events etc in the Murcia region will be posted on this main page and may not be shared into many local groups.

PLEASE help to support the flow and sharing of information by following this page and sharing the information into groups to which you have access.

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Supermarkets limit capacity as panic buying continues in Spanish shops

What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus

The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.

The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.

Sensible precautions

The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:

- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel

- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!

- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity

- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell

- Don´t panic!