The Stray Ferret has witnessed panic buying of handwash and related products across the Harrogate district as the coronavirus emergency deepens. 

There has been a rush on chemists and supermarkets from people anxious to stock up on all types and sizes of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial gels and wipes. 

ASDA in Harrogate reported on Monday that it had completely sold out of hand hygiene products for the time being, while the Boots Chemist located within Jennyfield Co-op, did not know when it would be getting any more in.  

Supplies at the Boots in Cambridge Street, Harrogate, are being snapped up as soon as they are put out on the shelves and the company has announced a two-bottle per customer limit on purchases made. 

At ALDI, which has stores in Ripon and Harrogate, bosses at head office also instructed counter staff to limit customers to two bottles apiece. 

Shelves cleared of handwash in Sainsbury’s Ripon

It has emerged that only alcohol-based products will kill off the coronavirus, as Chris Jones, managing director of manufacturer Delf UK told BBC Radio this morning (Wednesday) that the virus has a fatty outer layer that is broken down by sanitisers with a 60 percent to 80 percent alcohol content. 

Mr Jones’s company has experienced a ten-fold increase in orders over the past month. 

Demand for cleansers in the Harrogate district and across the UK, continues to increase as the government, NHS and World Health Organisation are urging everyone to keep their hands germ-free. 

The area of shelves at Sainbury’s Ripon where handwash and cleansing wipes are usually available, had been cleaned out this morning (Wednesday) and across the city, the same applied at Morrison’s. 

The message from all retailers is that they will have further handwash and cleansing wipes available as soon as possible, but are reliant on suppliers on the timing and while ever demand outstrips supply, customers are likely to remain restricted to the number of bottles or packs that they can purchase.  

The need to keep hands germ-free is emphasised by a report from specialist hygiene services company Ideal, which says that 80 percent of infections are transmitted through touch. The report also points out that one in six people admit to not washing their hands after they go to the toilet. 

Protective masks are also in short supply and John Alder, owner and managing director of Office Ally, in Ripon, which supplies thousands of products to business customers, says: “we are currently unable to source masks from any of our suppliers, but the principal demand among our customers is for hand sanitisers and in obtaining those we are facing the same rationing being experienced by the general public when they go to the shops.” 

Staff at Harrogate Train Station are on high alert, looking out for travellers with suspected symptoms who  are about to embark on a journey. 

The station, which is used by thousands of travellers a day commuting to work or travelling onward to destinations across the UK, is operated by Northern Rail Limited, which is issuing staff with regular updates and advice as the Coronavirus crisis deepens.  

Gordon Hyde, one of six station supervisors, told The Stray Ferret: “With cases in Leeds, Bradford and now Ilkley, there is a feeling that this outbreak is getting closer and we are all on a high state of alert, looking out for travellers who appear to have the symptoms and asking them if they feel travelling is wise.” 

All station staff are following strict company guidelines about the use of anti-bacterial handwash, while the cleaning team is paying special attention to handrails on stairs and other parts of station. 

Gordon, adds: “Everybody needs to be vigilant about their own health and potential impact on other travellers if they are unwell. In the meantime, we will continue to run our services with passenger safety our top priority.” 

A spokesperson for Harrogate Bus Company, which carries thousands of passengers a day in the Harrogate district, says: 

“We always want all our colleagues and all our customers to be safe and well, particularly when working and travelling with us. It’s really important that everyone is able go about their lives normally and, as a bus company and key transport provider for Harrogate, we are critical in enabling people to do that.  

“We’re taking steps inside our company to ensure everyone is prepared. Our normal cleaning regime is thorough, with every single bus cleaned inside and out every night, with extra valets taking place during the day at bus stations, and we will keep this under review to ensure we keep standards high. 

“Our approach is balanced, to ensure the welfare of our colleagues and customers, whilst not fuelling any hysteria which might come from a knee-jerk reaction. 

With the situation for those travelling by air changing on an almost daily basis, Leeds Bradford Airport recommend that travellers with booked flights or thinking about booking a flight, contact the airlines direct for information and updates.