AN NHS worker has raised fears a dedicated hour for health care staff to shop at Tesco was so crowded on Sunday it could aid the spread of coronavirus.

Ian McKendrick, in an email to the Oxford Mail, as well as Oxford City Council's Environmental Health team and local councillors, said he visited the Cowley Tesco superstore yesterday for the first priority shopping hour.

The Oxfordshire Unison health branch communications officer, said: "Outside the shop people were very disciplined in queuing with the majority maintaining a safe social distance. 

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"However this was impossible when people entered the shop which became very crowded."

Mr McKendrick said he tried to get in touch with Tesco nationally to raise this as he believes 'such overcrowding could become a major vector in the spread of Covid-19' but had struggled to make contact. 

He added: "I suspect the same problem is evident in other superstores, and poses a major environmental health risk. 

"Other countries have implemented policies to deal with this, and some local stores are now doing the same, e.g. Leys pharmacy are allowing only two customers in at any one time. 

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He asked for help from Oxford City Council's Environmental Health team, local councillors  to talk to the superstores about this problem 'with a view to limiting numbers at any one time, and once full to a safe limit operate a one in and one out policy?'

Councillor Louise Upton, cabinet member for Healthy Oxford, said: “In response to concerns raised by the public we have asked whether there will be any further advice or guidance from the government with regard to social distancing in supermarkets and we are still waiting for a response.

"Supermarkets have already taken steps such as flexible opening hours to accommodate the elderly and NHS staff and should continue to encourage customers to behave responsibly and follow the government’s advice on social distancing.

“Supermarkets have robust measures in place to ensure there is enough food to go round so please shop responsibly, and only when you have to, ensuring you keep two metres away from other people. If we are to stop the NHS being overwhelmed we all have to do our bit to stop the virus spreading.”

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"We have asked for a response outlining their proposed changes, in line with Government recommendations, on social distancing and when we can expect to see these visible changes in store."

There were long queues outside Tesco superstores across the county yesterday, with videos sent to the Oxford Mail showing lines snaking around car parks. 

In other areas of the country, stores were forced to implement a 'one in one out' policy. The supermarket chain also suspended its multi-buy deals.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers, colleagues is our number one priority.

"We have strict health and safety processes in place in our stores and we are directing all colleagues to follow Public Health England guidance on how to keep themselves, fellow colleagues and customers safe.”