IF you have spent any time on social media in the past few days, you will no doubt have seen numerous posts with pictures of empty supermarket shelves and angry rants about people panic buying. 

But if you're starting to worry whether you need to do the same as other shoppers stockpile, we've asked the experts if it's really necessary.

'This is a time for friends and neighbours to help'

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Our members continue to work round-the-clock to ensure consumers have access to the products they need.

"Retailers are putting in place the measures necessary to meet the current increase in demand.

"Where people are self-isolating it is not just up to supermarkets, but also friends and neighbours to support them in getting the goods they need.

"This is a time for everyone to come together and support one another, particularly those who are vulnerable."

Plans to extend supermarket delivery hours

The Government plans to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets to help the food industry respond to the coronavirus.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said allowing night-time deliveries will allow stocks to be moved "more quickly" from supermarket warehouses to the shelves.

The move follows a "productive" second call between Mr Eustice and leading supermarkets and representatives from across the food supply chain.

The Government said it will work with local authorities to extend delivery hours for supermarkets and other food retailers.

It comes as shoppers concerned about having to self-isolate amid the spread of coronavirus in the UK have sparked Christmas-level demand for some items.

Wirral Globe: Eddy Chapman, who runs Chapmans Funland, has made the most of the national stockpiling trend by filling up one of its grabber machines with toilet rolls. Richard McCarthy/PA WireEddy Chapman, who runs Chapmans Funland, has made the most of the national stockpiling trend by filling up one of its grabber machines with toilet rolls. Richard McCarthy/PA Wire

The Goverment is confident food supplies will continue even in 'reasonable worst-case scenario'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned against stockpiling, urging people to "behave responsibly and think about others" when purchasing supplies.

He added that the Government is "certainly confident that we have fantastic supply chains".

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs food supplies will continue even in the "reasonable worst-case scenario".

Speaking in the Commons, he said: "We are confident that food supply will continue even in our reasonable worst-case scenario.

"We have been talking to the supermarkets for some time about this scenario."

Limits in stores are not linked to supply issues

Tesco hit the headlines after putting a five-item limit on a number of items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes, gels and sprays, and long-life milk.

It started online on Sunday and in stores on Saturday but the PA news agency understands the limits are not linked to any wider supply issues.

Instead it's to ensure all customers have access to the products they need.

A spokesman for Waitrose also said they wanted to ensure customers had 'access' to products with a temporary cap online on certain anti-bacterial soaps and wipes.

Asda and Aldi are aldo limiting shoppers to two hand sanitiser per customer.