The online supermarket Ocado has temporarily taken their app offline due to the high volume of traffic amid panic buying over growing concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ocado currently has the longest waiting time of 10 days with back orders due to high demand.
Thousands of people across the UK have been told to self-isolate and are therefore turning to online shopping to avoid being out in public.
Ocado said in a statement on Friday to their customers, “Due to performance issues driven by continued high demand, we have decided to take our app offline for the time being.
“We are using this time to improve our infrastructure so that we can return to our normal service levels.
“In the meantime, please use your mobile, tablet or computer to go to ocado.com and shop on our website instead.”
Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland said there’s no need for shoppers to panic-buy as the supermarket chain has reported they have “no supply issues” despite the virus outbreak.
Walker warned that panic buying could harm vulnerable and elderly customers.
Monteyne said, “If a major coronavirus outbreak happens, that will quickly lead to panic buying, empty shelves and food riots.
“Plans are surely being drawn up with suppliers to rationalise product ranges when necessary.”
He said, “If we really get to a bad outbreak with major staff shortages, I think there will be a case to be made that the drivers will be better utilised in keeping the shelves full and supporting the core operation of feeding the nation.
“How responsible is it for a self-isolating person to get a driver to deliver to him?”
Last weekend Ocado, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons announced they are all now rationing products
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