Coronavirus: Shoppers try to sneak past security to use dedicated hour for NHS workers at supermarket

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Members of the public have been trying to sneak past security staff to use dedicated times set up to allow NHS workers to shop for food and basic supplies during the UK’s coronavirus outbreak. However, customers who were not entitled to an hour for NHS staff reportedly tried to sneak past security in a bid to get in early at a Tesco Extra in London on Sunday. “Now is the time for people to look after us so that we can look after you but they are not listening.” She added: “Tesco staff are doing their best but there are too many people so I decided to come out of the queue and help.” Linda Johnson, a 42-year-old NHS admin worker, raised concerns about some supermarkets introducing shopping hours for NHS workers and elderly customers at the same time. “We’re going to take learnings onboard and continue to offer these priority shopping times to NHS workers.” They added: “We really need customers to help us by giving NHS workers priority during this hour and so we ask all other customers to shop during the usual Sunday opening hours.” Last week, Stephen Powis, the NHS England national medical director, said the British public should be “ashamed” of panic buyers who have left NHS workers unable to buy basic supplies.