Supermarket websites crashed this evening following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that the UK was entering a lockdown phase due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tesco, Asda and Morrisons were among those suffering technical difficulties as people tried to access their groceries pages.
The crashes followed the Prime Minister's announcement of strict new rules on people leaving their homes.
The rules mean people can only leave their homes for the following reasons:
- Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- One form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
- Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
- Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
The measures sent people flocking to supermarkets, worried about limitations on getting out to buy food and presumably hopeful of placing online orders.
Unfortunately, delivery slots at many supermarkets are extremely limited or non-existent.
Sainsbury's said earlier on its website: "We’ve been exceptionally busy today, and we’re working as quickly as possible to prioritise our vulnerable customers.
"If you’ve had an email from us to say you’ve been prioritised, that’s still the case and we’ll be in touch again.
"Please come back later on to see if more slots have become available."
