Shotley peninsula shoppers are bucking the trend by refusing to panic buy and stockpile as Covid19 Coronavirus concerns spread.

Although shopkeepers locally have been rubbing their hands with joy as sanitising gel sells out, and flush with joy as toilet roll sales rocket, the shelves are still stocked high.

While reports of panic buying and shelves been cleared in supermarkets nationally are widespread, it is pretty much as usual in the shops on the peninsula, as locals stay calm and carry on.

Hand gel had sold out in all the shops Nub News visited on the peninsula, including the Co-ops at Brantham and Holbrook, Hollingsworth at Chelmondiston and Premier Stores, Shotley, and staff reported while there had been extra demand for toilet rolls, there were still plenty to go around.

James Welham, owner of Hollinsgsworth's had been assured by his wholesalers, (Bookers) that replenishing stock would not be an issue, although it may be some time before hand gel would be available again.

James said: "Over the course of the past three days we have sold all 14 hand gels we had, and before that we had sold one every couple of months.

"Bookers have ordered more, and maybe we will get some, because if people want them then like most shops, we will try and get them.

"We have bought some extra loo rolls and other bits but pretty much everything is normal."

Although latest figures show here have been 163 cases of Covid 19 Coronavirus reported in the UK, there have been none in Suffolk, and while some returning students at peninsula schools have self-isolated, there has been no genuine cause for concern on the peninsula.

"There is no need to panic," added James "We are Suffolk folk and pretty laid back anyway to it is case of staying calm and carry on."

Although James and his staff already have high standards of hygiene, they are adding even more precautions.

"For the past couple of weeks have been cautious about my own hand to face contact," said James. "We can't avoid public contact because we run a shop but in my head, I have been reminding myself not do any hand to face contact while serving and I'm obviously washing my hands even more regularly. We do that anyway, but perhaps more right now.

"When we go to cheeses for example, we wear gloves and throw them in the bin each time, it is wasteful I know but what can we do? Cleanliness and hygiene is more important."

NHS advice, posted on the doors of GP surgeries at Shotley and Holbrook, include:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

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