Coronavirus: Tesco, Sainsburys and Boots branches among stores sold out of hand sanitiser as COVID-1

Customers across the UK have been unable to purchase various hygiene products such as hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Stocks have run out leaving stores with empty shelves and signs stating ‘the product is sold out’.

There has been an increase in demand for hand sanitisers across the UK as sales have surged for various hygiene products as the number of UK cases of coronavirus hit 90 today.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: "Sales of hand sanitiser have risen as individuals and businesses make sensible precautions to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Retailers are also taking necessary steps to meet the rise in demand for certain hygiene products.”

It comes after the UK Government warned that up to fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick at the same time at virus peak.

Many stores across the UK have been running out of hand sanitiser gel and anti-bacterial wet wipes over the last couple of days, as pictures emerged of empty shelves at large Boots, Superdrug and Tesco outlets in London.

Hand sanitiser products have also been selling out online. A pack of six 50ml Cuticura Total antibacterial gels is listed as temporarily out of stock on amazon and several products have lengthy delivery times.

It was a similar situation at Brunel University Costcutter where hand sanitiser products were sold out for days before stocks were refilled.

Boots are among retailers who have said they are restricting hygiene products to two per person. The decision comes after hand sanitisers are being sold online at inflated prices.

Among those struggling to find products is Manal Chafi, student at Brunel University who said: “I was struggling to find hand gel products in Superdrugs and Boots as they were all sold out, I asked a supervisor when there will be more stock in store and he responded saying he is not sure.”