THOUSANDS of blind and visually impaired people in Hampshire should be included on the Government’s list of those most at risk from coronavirus, an MP has urged.

MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, has backed the Royal National Institute of Blind People's (RNIB) online petition after the charity found some people with sight loss struggled to buy food, as they have been excluded from priority access to online shopping.

Ms Nokes stressed blind people find it harder to socially distance in supermarkets because they need a companion to help identify food, which could increase their risk of contracting coronavirus.

This comes as NHS Digital data found 7,605 people in Hampshire were registered as being blind or partially sighted in March 2017 – the latest figures available.

Of those, 3,340 were recorded as being blind or severely sight impaired.

However, the Government has already produced a list of 1.5 million people at higher risk of serious illness if they contract Covid-19.

Ms Nokes said: "The Women and Equalities Select Committee has launched an inquiry to establish how different groups of people might be impacted differently by the COVID-19 crisis.

"Particularly with reference to disabled people, there are challenges around social distancing. Many blind people might need a companion to go to the supermarket as they need help to identify products, they sometimes need to touch items to establish what they are, that is all increasingly difficult; alongside the RNIB I am calling for them to be given priority shopping opportunities."

She added: "I know the major supermarkets are working really hard to make sure there is a priority system, to do what they can to get priority deliveries sorted, to make sure we are all socially distanced while queuing and in store, but I am asking them to also consider carefully what they are doing for the blind or partially sighted, who might not be included in other vulnerable groups."

Development director at the RNIB, Keith Valentine, said the Government has “got to include blind people in the definition" of those who need extra help.

“People are scared and worried about whether they are going to get food or medication. This is what is coming through our helpline,” he added.

“They’re literally saying ‘how am I going to feed myself?’ We’ve got people ringing on behalf of parents because they can’t reach them.

“Blind or visually impaired people need to be included on this list; in some cases, it’s literally a matter of people going hungry.

"I would ask people making those decisions to close their eyes and then think about what they would do in these circumstances.”

The RNIB has launched an online petition calling on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, to work with businesses to ensure blind people are able to buy the goods they need online.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies.

“This could include those who are elderly, disabled or have health conditions that make it difficult for them to get the food they need.

“We are speaking to food retailers, delivery organisations and volunteer groups to help prioritise those individuals to access essential food.

“Wherever possible, people should continue to rely on friends, family and wider community support.”