SHOPS are reportedly running out of hand sanitiser as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

Yvette Bufton from Worcester said she has tried multiple times to buy some anti bacterial hand gel, but to no avail.

The 59-year-old said: "I have been looking to get some hand sanitiser to keep in the car, because it is good practice. Especially with all these Government adverts telling us to be extra careful with keeping hands clean, but I can't find any anywhere! I think people must be panic buying.

"Yesterday I went in to Home Bargains and they had ran out. Today I have been to Malvern and must have gone into five different shops including Morrisons and Superdrug and they were all out of stock. The shelves were bare, there were lots of people there asking the staff if they had any more.

"A person who worked at pound stretcher said they have run out because people have been coming in and buying loads. It is silly really. I am not worried.

"However, prevention is better than cure, I am a carer to my disabled son and if I go down with it there is no-one here to look after him, I have to think of us both."

A spokeswoman for Boots, the UK’s largest chemist chain, said it had seen an increase in the sale of hand sanitisers, but it still had stock available in its warehouses for online sale and in stores.

She also confirmed that there is currently a limit of two hand sanitisers per customer to ensure as many people as possible have access to the products.

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The official advice on protecting yourself from coronavirus is to:

  • Wash your hands with soap and hot water more often, for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • The NHS says people should also wash their hands when they get home or arrive at work.
  • People should also avoid close contact with people who are unwell, and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth