ISLANDERS have been using social media to air concerns about buying food, as the Isle of Wight adjusts to strict new living and working conditions, in the government's effort to deal with coronavirus.


Some are calling for the elderly and vulnerable to be given priority, when it comes to booking delivery slots on supermarket websites.

Scroll down for the results of an exclusive Isle of Wight County Press poll

People living in isolation, including those aged over 70 and with underlying health conditions, say they are particularly worried, as demand surges.

Essential food shopping trips - and the shops themselves- were exempt from new rules closing most retail outlets and ensuring Islanders stay at home, announced in Monday’s speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and repeated in a text sent earlier today (Tuesday).

Isle of Wight County Press:

Most supermarkets are limiting the amount of items shoppers can buy, in a bid to end panic-buying, which has meant empty shelves on the Isle of Wight.

In an Isle of Wight County Press poll, of the 663 people who took part, 92 per cent told us they had been unable to get a superstore to deliver food to them within three days.

Some said they would have to wait weeks.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Leanne Read told the Isle of Wight County Press: “4 weeks to wait for home delivery. I don’t mind as I can pop out, but I feel for the elderly people who can’t. They need priority.”

Jenny Rayment said: “Just tried to book a home delivery. First slot was 7th April!! We have been self isolating for ten days and will need food soon. Ridiculous!!”

Christine Looseley wrote: “I failed to even get on a website!"

Isle of Wight County Press:

A number of Isle of Wight suppliers have stepped up their delivery options for customers, meanwhile. Customers told the Isle of Wight County Press that they had been able to secure deliveries of food using local suppliers instead.

The Isle of Wight County Press has asked for a comment from the Isle of Wight’s major supermarkets.