Customers are being urged not to panic-buy amid a travel ban between the UK and Ireland, with retailers promising there won't be any shortages over the festive period.
Ireland has implemented a 48-hour travel ban on the UK after a more infectious strain of coronavirus was detected across the water – leading to fears in some quarters that retailers could run out of certain products in the coming days.
But Retail Ireland has moved to reassure customers that supply chains between the countries "continue to operate as normal", adding that shops are "fully stocked for Christmas and stores will continue to be restocked on a daily basis."
The Irish Mirror contacted several major Irish supermarkets – including Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco – to ask if there was any chance that their supply chain could be interrupted as a result of the travel ban.
Here's what they had to say:
Aldi
Aldi says all of the Christmas stock it brought through the UK has already arrived in Ireland, meaning supply should be uninterrupted over the festive period.
John Curtin, the supermarket's group buying director, told the Mirror: "“All of our Christmas stock and Specialbuy offers that were transported through the UK have already arrived in Ireland and have been distributed to stores ahead of Christmas day.
"Our stores are fully stocked and we’re looking forward to providing an amazing Christmas for all our customers."
Lidl
With Brexit's worst-scenarios a constant risk, Lidl says it has been preparing for "possible outcomes" for more than three years – meaning its reliance on the UK has been much reduced in recent times.
This, according to a spokesperson for the supermarket, means Lidl has the "measures in place to ensure that we are protected from the many challenges associated with these travel restrictions."
Nevertheless, Lidl says it is "closely monitoring the situation as it continues to develop."
Tesco
Tesco says its supply chain is "robust", meaning the supermarket doesn't anticipate any product shortages ahead of Christmas.
A spokesperson said: "Essential food supply chain transit is continuing as normal so we don’t anticipate any product shortages ahead of Christmas.
"We continue to work hard to operate a safe and easy shopping trip in what is anticipated to be a busy Christmas week. We encourage customers not to alter their normal shopping habits."
