Shoppers across Basingstoke have wiped the shelves clean of antibacterial products as coronavirus has claimed two victims in the UK.
Retail workers have told the Gazette that stock has been flying off the shelves as members of the public have ignored Government advice about panic buying.
Last night, the health secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Question Time individuals should not buy more than they needed.
It came as supermarket executive told the BBC sales of cupboard basics had "gone through the roof" and he was not sure the government could guarantee food supply in all instances.
Tsvetelina Todorova, 55, from Basingstoke was looking to buy antibacterial handwash.
She said: "Panic is big. We do not know anything about coronavirus because it is new.
"We need to be more responsible and wash our hands. Panic buying is silly! More people are sick because not much is being done. Coronavirus will come to us because it spreads so fast."
She also said there is not information out there on how to stop the virus.
"I remember swine flu; it was the same danger. I went on eBay and my friend explained that a handful costs £35 for 50ml. This is stupid!"
"It’s a situation that’s got out of control. People are scared, that’s why they’re panic buying. The customer notice which tells shoppers only to buy two anticbac products is sensible," she told the Gazette.
Another Morrison's shopper, Sheena Menzies, 62, from Basingstoke vented her outrage at the empty shelves.
“I have never seen something like this before. It is hysteria. I have little antibac and people can’t get hand gels.
"Even little bottles, it’s ridiculous. I’m disappointed that there’s nothing on these shelves.
"I only live across the road. Tuesday it was packed and today in Morrison’s it’s heaving with people. I understand people have to fend for themselves but it’s gluttony.”
A Waitrose shopper, Tony Cozens, from Farnham, was surprised to see depleted stock.
“It’s surprising that people are grabbing stuff off shelves. An older couple I just saw got cans and it looks like they'll be living underground.
"It’s amazing, in Poundstore, Farnham, because you can buy double the size for Carex hand wash, but it’s run out which is why I’m here in Waitrose. Today, lots of people don’t bother washing their hands.”
Sainsbury's Customer Assistant told the Gazette: "Within an hour, antibac, Dettol spray and hand gel goes. Anyone who has antibacterial hand wash goes.
"We get deliveries in mornings and prioritise these now. It’s been like this for a couple of days. We have up to 10,000 more items to pick out back.”
Sainsbury's Customer Assistant, Lewis Ryan, 18, said: “This week we have sold 25 cases (six in a case) which is 150 Carex aloe antibacterial hand wash 250ml, £1.
"On a normal week, we only sold 16 cases. We are up by nine.
"Also, the Carex original hand wash refill we sold four cases last week (32 bottles). This week we’ve sold eight cases, which is (128 bottles).
"I’ve noticed a difference, it’s happening everywhere.
"The collection original hand wash 500ml we’ve sold 13 cases (four in a case), which is a total of 52 hand washes. Last week we sold seven cases (28 handwashes).
"We get products only when depot get them in. Customers are concerned. People are told not to panic but they are.
"We are struggling to maintain paracetamol. Customers can only buy two cases at a time. They still get around it and turn up again to buy more. I’ve never seen it like this before.”
Our Gazette Reporter told us it was so busy trying to get a car parking space at Tesco that she had to turn around.
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