Sainsbury’s and Boots in the town centre had almost empty shelves today (March 6) where the hand wash is kept- and Boots are now running a two bottles of sanitizer per person system as stock quickly decreases. A Boots spokesperson said, “The best way to help prevent catching a virus is by making sure that you regularly wash your hands with soap, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent transmission from surfaces, especially after blowing your nose, sneezing and coughing. Antiviral hand foams and gel can also be useful when you are out and about. “All our pharmacists have the latest public health advice on coronavirus and can offer advice on the best way to stay healthy this winter. “Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include: “Regular hand washing with soap, especially after blowing the nose, sneezing and coughing. Use of antiviral hand foam or gel in situations where hand washing facilities are unavailable. Covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Disposing of tissues swiftly once used – catch it, bin it, kill it. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching the mouth, eyes and nose with unwashed hands.” Sainsbury’s were contacted for information and the British Retail Consortium, which the supermarket is a member of, provided a comment. Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said, “Our members are working as hard as they can to ensure all consumers have access to the products they need. Even where there are challenges, retailers are well-versed in providing effective measures to keep retail sites running smoothly, and we are working with suppliers to ensure this continues. Retailers are taking necessary steps to meet the rise in demand for certain hygiene and long-life products.”