First food parcels arrive at doorsteps of vulnerable people being shielded from coronavirus with 50,000 are set to be delivered this week

By Sara Scarlett For Mailonline and Press Association 17:15 29 Mar 2020, updated 02:08 30 Mar 2020

The first 2,000 packages were delivered over the weekend to the housebound
Packages contain essentials such as toilet roll, pasta, fruit and tinned goods
A total of 1.5 million vulnerable people are being asked to self-isolate
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Food parcels have begun arriving at the doors of the most vulnerable people who are being shielded from coronavirus.

The first 2,000 packages were delivered over the weekend to those who cannot leave their homes because severe health conditions put them at risk.

The Government expects more than 50,000 deliveries this week but this could rise to hundreds of thousands of boxes, depending on demand.

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An image of the food parcels containing essentials being sent to people across the country

The packages contain essentials such as toilet roll, pasta, fruit and tinned goods and are being directed at those self-isolating for 12 weeks but have little support from family or friends.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick joined a delivery in Paddock Wood, Kent, where a pack of chocolate cereal was also included.

He said: 'This weekend sees the start of extraordinary steps to support the most clinically vulnerable, while they shield from coronavirus.'

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, helps deliver free food boxes to the most clinically vulnerable in Tonbridge, Kent, as the scheme is rolled out across England

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'We will support these people at this difficult time, and the scale of an operation like that has not been seen since the Second World War.'

While the deliveries will be welcomed, there are major concerns over the mounting pressure being heaped on the food banks that routinely serve those too poor to buy ingredients.

A total of 1.5 million extremely vulnerable people are being asked to shield themselves. Officials say 900,000 have been written to so far to inform them of the steps.

But GPs must contact 600,000 more who are not on a national register, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokeswoman said.

Easter eggs are not essential goods, stores are told

Shopkeepers have been warned by police not to sell Easter eggs during lockdown, it was reported last night.

Officers in parts of the country have shocked retailers by trying to prevent them from selling products they consider non-essential.

The Government is yet to issue official guidelines on what can be sold by convenience stores, newsagents and off-licences deemed to be essential.

But shopkeepers have reported that police and environmental health officers have entered their stores and told them what can or cannot be sold, which apparently includes Easter eggs.

The Association of Convenience Stores says some of its members have encountered 'overzealous enforcement' – and urged retailers to continue selling a full range of goods.

James Lowman, chief executive of the trade group, told The Times: 'This is a misreading of the rules. In the cases where officers have challenged retailers and shoppers in this way, it's brought confusion and increased the interactions between people at a time when the Government is trying to minimise them.'

Covid-19