Many people have taken to online delivery services from their favourite shops in an effort to get the essentials they need as shoppers try to avoid big supermarkets amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
And as government measures tighten up around social distancing and self-isolation for those showing symptoms, online deliveries are more important than ever for those who are elderly, vulnerable, or cannot leave the house.
Ocado
Ocado is struggling to keep up with the demand and is not accepting any new customers at the moment.
When a BFP reporter tried to get on the website, they were met with an error code and the words: “Access denied”.
Tesco
Tesco offers home delivery and if you’re in self isolation, you can let the delivery driver know this in advance.
As of April 7, there were 33 available slots available between April 8 and 13 – with none available at all on Sunday or Monday.
Sainsbury’s
The supermarket chain is prioritising elderly and vulnerable customers at the moment, so new customers may not be able to register if it hasn’t already identified you as vulnerable to coronavirus.
A reporter tried to set up an online account but was told they wouldn’t be allowed.
Iceland
As soon as you get onto the ‘book delivery’ page on Iceland’s website, a notice comes up asking you to confirm if you are over the state pension age, vulnerable or self-isolating. The supermarket says they are temporarily limiting online orders to those who are most in need.
They said: “If you aren't over state pension age and can get to one of our stores, we kindly ask that you use our Store Locator to find your local Iceland and complete your shop there.”
If you are vulnerable, elderly or self-isolating, there are slots available between 8am and 10am and 3pm and 5pm on April 8, 10am and 12pm and 5pm to 7pm on April 9 and 12pm and 2pm and 7pm and 9pm on April 10.
ASDA
Bad luck if you want to order from ASDA - all delivery slots are sold out until April 14, the furthest in advance you can try and book one.
The supermarket chain is currently only showing slots for the next seven days because of coronavirus.
Morrisons
Shoppers trying to book an online delivery here are placed in a queue – at 5.15pm on Tuesday, there were 16,757 people in the queue ahead of the reporter who tried, so they quickly left!
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