Coronavirus: HEB Sets Limits On Purchases Of Basic Supplies

AUSTIN, TX — In an attempt to keep shelves stocked amid the coronavirus outbreak, the HEB grocery store chain is limiting certain supplies per customer visit, officials said.

The growing threat of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has created increasead demand for hand sanitizers, water, toilet paper and other essentials. Amid the hoarding, such items have been in short supply at stores.

"We understand our customers want to prepare by stocking up on the essentials," a company statement reads. "Texans must continue to prepare, but panic does not promote progress. In order to help ensure all can secure the products they need, when they need them, we’ve implemented limits on certain items because we know limits will help protect the supply chain in Texas."

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To ensure those who need the items have access, the chain — the state's dominant grocer with more than 350 stores across Texas and northeast Mexico — has limited the amount of supplies customers can purchase per visit. As a result, the following limitations are in place at all HEB stores:

• Disinfecting sprays/wipes – 4 units.
• Hand sanitizer/soap – 4 units.
• Water – 4 multipacks and 4 gallons per transaction (including baby).
• Latex Gloves – 4 boxes/units.
• Bleach – 2 units.
• Rubbing alcohol – 4 units.
• Bath tissue – 2 packages.

"While our customers might find our supply of some products low or temporarily out of stock, please rest assured knowing that we’re maintaining close contact with our suppliers and our Partners are working around the clock to keep our shelves stocked," the company said in a prepared statment. "We encourage customers to check back with us if they cannot find what they need, as we’ll continue to restock our products."

In another coronavirus-related move, the chain is temporarily discontinuing food demos at stores' Showtime and Cooking Connection services. "Partners dedicated to these demo services will support our customer experience in-store operations and HEB Curbside pickup," officials wrote in a press advisory.

And as a tactic of "social distancing" as advised by health officials as a way of mitigating potential contagion spread, the company also has curbed its large-scale events, officials added: "We are also paying close attention to the health needs of our communities and are scaling back our presence at large community gatherings, to promote awareness and prevent the further spread of the virus," officials wrote. "

Initially termed as "new coronavirus," the respiratory ailment now named COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.