EXCLUSIVE-UK supermarkets may cut services to stay open as coronavirus spreads - sources

Britain's major supermarkets are working on plans to streamline their operations by cutting cafes, counters and other services to enable a depleted workforce to maintain basic provisions during the coronavirus outbreak, industry sources told Reuters.

The country's supermarket sector, including market leader Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons , have struggled for over a week to keep shelves stocked as shoppers panic bought items like dried pasta, canned food, flour, toilet rolls and hand sanitiser.

But executives are now working on plans on how to keep the stores running if large numbers of their staff become ill or if the outbreak forces the closure of schools, which would escalate workers' child care needs.