Shopping question for those already in full lock down.

[Matildathehun77]

Hi! In the U.K. and currently trying to prepare for full lock down. Can somebody who is already experiencing this tell me about your weekly shop.
Can you choose any supermarket or does it have to be your closest? Do you have to register with one or decide on the day?
Can you use smaller food shops and are they still open? Also, petrol stations, can you still buy petrol? Are they selling other stuff when you go in to pay or do you pay by card/through a slot?
I know this will differ slightly between countries but I'm a bit anxious and would like to mentally prepare myself if nothing else, so please humour me.
Thank you.

I think it will be hard for anyone in lockdown in a different country to say what it will be like here in the uk as shopping habits can be so different from country to country.

Be interesting to know though.

Have been in 'lockdown' almost a week here.

Regarding shopping:

1. all supermarkets, bakeries, grocers, pharmacys etc are open as usual - you can go as often as you like, 8-9am is now for old people. Supplies are fine.

2. you can go to any supermarket you like, but I think its supposed to be within the selection nearest if possible, ie in the UK you would go to nearest Asda, not Asda in the next town.

3)cafes/restaurants are closed, but many are now offering takeaway or delivery service (we had 0 delivery options here before)

4)things like local farmers are offering way more honesty type boxes and home deliveries. So we can drive to the farm and pick up eggs/bread/ veg/ milk and just pay cash into honesty box. (not sure if that would work in the uk)

5)petrol stations open as usual

6. we are allowed out to 1- food shop, 2)work if essential 3) help others

Thanks for that, that's actually really helpful. I'm trying to picture it so I can mentally prepare.

@Caspianbergcan I ask where you are? Your post was very helpful!

Caspian what about non-drivers, are there buses still for food shopping?
Is the post office open (for those who need it for work for example)?

Post offices - our nearest is closed (small village type), but the next one over in bigger area is open. They seem to be closing the village ones if town nearby.

Buses/local trains - running a sunday service. No cash payments now accepted (used to be only cash, they have added some temp card swipe machines). Not sure about long-distance type trains.

Local taxi companies also doing a click and collect type service for free. They are being paid by local council to drop food/ medicine to anyone who can't get out themselves to get.

It does sound like they're taking care of you then and making sure people are helped where needed. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply @Caspianberg it's good to know even if we won't be exactly the same.

@Caspianberg thank you for your helpful post. What county are you in

Don't rely on supermarket deliveries! I'm in London, and had an asda order I organised 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I logged in to see where it was, and it just said 'cancelled'. No email to advise me, no text or anything. I realise its exceptional, but I was able to add items the day before, with no mention of it being cancelled. I now assume next weeks order will also suddenly get cancelled on the day.

I think a lot of the panic buying would stop if more people were aware of what lockdown is like in other countries.

Thanks @Caspianberg. Are you still able to get Amazon deliveries? And what about essential work - is it just key workers who are allowed to go out to work, or also those who can't work from home such as gardeners? We're in London and due to have an artificial lawn installed in a couple of weeks time - would this be cancelled where you are? I know this sounds like a first time problem but our garden is just mud and unusable - with 3 kids at home we would love to be able to use it while on lockdown.

First world problem

Can anyone advise me. I have a 78 year old relative with a chronic lung condition, so I'm very worried about her going out. She doesn't drive, lives alone and has no family nearby (we're 3 hours away). She's never used online shopping and is unlikely to start now (no computer or smart phone) and it's a 3 week wait for deliveries at the moment anyway. She says she's going to continue taking the bus to the supermarket/pharmacy every few days, but it would be much safer if she was able to stay in. What are people in similar situations doing in countries that are on lock down? Any advice on what are our best options for keeping her safe?

@Squashpocket my town’s Facebook page has volunteers who are putting together a list of vulnerable people there maybe something set up like this in her area?

I'm in Italy. You can use any supermarket or local shop. (We luckily still have plenty of greengrocers, butchers, bakeries etc) I have been using local shops because there are big queues at the supermarket. I did do an online order but haven't been able to get another slot. Amazon still deliver but say there will be delays.

Deliveries - Amazon/dpd/ regular postman have been getting through fine. I think amazon have now put a restriction on what can be ordered though worldwide to something like food, medical, health, pet food and similar. Not sure exactly what that covers.

Essential workers - delivery drivers, food related ie supermarket workers, health and medical, banks etc.

Schools are open to provide care if needed by essential workers. But in our area roughly size of say Devon apparently only 200 children have been registered, so I think if no children arrive or just 1-2 by the end of the week they might try and combine/ offer other childcare.

Building work/ gardening/ electrician all are non essential here unless emergency ie your house is falling down or electrical dangerous fault. So no artificial grass laying.

@Squashpocket - here 8-9am is now solely for sick/elderly in the supermarkets, so less chance of not getting what they want and less people. Also taxis and volunteers providing free delivery options for food and medicine to those in need. Neighbours helping each other out also.

@Thinkingaboutsummer2020

Thank you for your advice. I've googled help in the area, but I don't know the place and I'm struggling to find any Facebook groups to help. My relative hasn't been contacted by anyone and isn't online, let alone on Facebook. Do you know how people are accessing this help if they need it?

@Squashpocket it was a message on the town’s Facebook page from 2 volunteers asking for people to inbox them. Maybe call the council for the area and ask about local charities?

Thanks so much, that's really helpful. Mud patch it is.

Caspian thanks, that's arelief.
Also (I know unlikely) is any selling of houses going on / moving house?

@CatAndHisKit - the estate agents appear closed, but I'm not sure if any house selling is going on. Maybe if the mortgage is already agreed, and house was already under offer. But I wouldn't have thought much is happening as people wouldn't be allowed to go and view houses etc right now.