FEARS of coronavirus have sparked a widespread shortage of hand sanitiser products across the UK – so where can you still buy anti-bacterial hand gel?
More than 90,000 people have been infected with the virus globally, including 53 confirmed cases in the UK.
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In response, Brits have started stockpiling household essentials including toilet roll, pet food, pasta, rice and nappies.
High street and supermarket shelves have also been wiped of hand sanitiser products, while some retailers are limiting the amount each customer can buy.
In February alone, it's estimated that hand sanitiser sales were up 255 per cent, according to research company Kantar.
Other kinds of liquid soaps saw sales increase by 7 per cent, and 10 per cent more was spent on household cleaners.
The demand has seen some second-hand sellers take advantage of the low stock, such as putting hand gel which costs 50p in Lidl for sale on eBay for £40.
However, the NHS and Public Health England say the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is simply to wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds.
If in doubt, The Sun has published a step-by-step guide on how to wash your hands effectively to stop the spread of germs.
Where can I buy hand sanitiser?
Hand sanitiser can be useful if you don't have quick access to a sink, for example, if you're on public transport.
We'd recommend calling your nearest shop to check availability as stock is likely to move fast.
On its website, Superdrug has no hand sanitiser gel listed as in stock in any of its stores.
The only products customers can buy is antibacterial handwash, including Carex for £1.89 and Superdrug's own for 68p.
In Boots, all sanitiser gel and antibacterial products are completely sold out online, although it might be worth checking your local to see if they have any in store.
Decathalon has Aptonia hand gel in stock in certain stores for £1.99 – you can use its only availability checker to see if your nearest branch has any.
In terms of supermarkets, Tesco is sold out of sanitiser gel but has antibacterial handwash in store including Carex for 86p and Tesco handwash for 50p.
On its website, Sainsbury's says: "Due to increased demand we have limited availability across our antibacterial ranges.
"We are working with our suppliers to secure more stock."
The only hand wash product it has in store is a refill pack of Carex for £1.50.
Morrisons is listing Cuticura hand sanitiser gel as in stock for £1.50 and it also has Carex handwash for 90p.
Asda also has Cuticura hand gel as available to buy online for £1.50 while Carex costs 95p.
It's worth checking with both supermarkets if they definitely have these in store, as items can be substituted when being picked for delivery.
eBay and Amazon are selling sanitisers at inflated prices, including this travel-size Purell gel for £4.99 and Sunshay sanitiser for £6.48.
When will there be more stock of hand sanitiser?
We've contacted Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons, as well as Superdrug and Boots, to find out when they're expecting more stock.
PZ Cussons, which makes Carex hand gel, told the BBC it was "working at full capacity in response to the exceptional demand being experienced".
Karium, the manufacturer of Cuticura hand gel, said it is taking "immediate action to increase our production volumes".
Should I stock up on hand sanitiser?
Some stores have put limits in place to stop people stockpiling hand wash products.
This is to make it fair for all their shoppers, plus to reduce the risk of items being resold at higher prices.
Boots and LloydsPharmacy customers can currently only buy two bottles of sanitiser each, both in store and online.
Can I make my own hand sanitiser?
You can – but it isn't recommended.
Alcohol is the main active ingredient in most hand sanitisers, but this is mixed with moisturisers to soften the harshness on your skin.
Too much alcohol on your skin can damage your hands, as well as stripping it of its nature oils.
As it can be hard to get the balance between alcohol and moisturisers right, health experts say you're better off washing your hands with soap.
We've rounded up your rights to sick pay if you have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.
And this is where working parents stand if their child’s school shuts because of coronavirus.
Plus, The Sun has explained how you could cancel your holiday and get a refund if you're worried about the coronavirus.
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