Massive queues outside Costco as coronavirus stockpiling continues

Shoppers were seen forming a snaking queue outside a wholesale warehouse in Bristol yesterday (March 20) as coronavirus stockpiling continues.

With tougher measures being introduced by the government to try and tackle the virus and some people predicting the UK is about to go into lock-down, as other countries across Europe have done, people up and down the country have been panic buying to keep their cupboards stocked.

This was seen today when Costco on St Brendan's Way, Avonmouth opened its doors at 10am.

A shopper contacted Bristol Live to say he was surprised to see so many people trying to get into the store considering the growing fears over coronavirus.

But he added he was impressed with the measures being put in place by staff to try and prevent the spread of the illness among shoppers.

He said: "I was surprised to find such long queues at Costco when I arrived this morning as I thought everyone would be staying indoors and ordering their food online.

"But I was very reassured to see staff sanitising and wiping each trolley as they entered the building and enforcing a two metre zone around each customer to ensure social distancing.

"Customers seemed very patient and were very observant of the measures in place, which was good to see."

People have praised the store for the measures being put in place to keep them safe on its Facebook page.

One shopper wrote: "I visited Costco this morning and was impressed with how seriously they are taking this crisis....from wiping down each cart to reminding customers to stay a safe distance apart....and the shelves were adequately stocked.

"I HAD to visit two other stores & neither were taking as many precautions. Thank you, Costco!"

People have praised the store (Paul Gillis)

Another said: "I was in Costco today and they had it well managed and under control. People working there were friendly. The should be commended for doing us a great service during these difficult times."

Earlier this week supermarkets lobbied the government to relax competition law to allow them to take steps to offset the risk of supply chain disruption, as they introduced further rationing to combat a rise in stockpiling.