Retail giant Tesco is limiting online grocery orders to 80 items only in a bid to prevent stockpiling as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Previously, the average number of products ordered online by consumers would have been under 60 products, but that figure has risen sharply in recent weeks.

The new limit by Tesco aims to allow shoppers to continue with their weekly purchasing.

According to a statement by the company: “By introducing this new limit, we can get more orders onto each van, allowing us to release significantly more delivery slots over the coming weeks, as part of our efforts to ensure all customers can access the essentials they need.”

Tesco has also requested that members of the public not at a high risk from the virus should visit stores in lieu of online shopping, giving the store more available time slots to offer those at a high risk from COVID-19.

“We know that it’s difficult to get a delivery slot for online shopping at the moment due to high demand, and we ask those who are able to safely come to stores to do so, so that we can start to free up more slots for the more vulnerable,” said a spokesperson for the company.