Mildura supermarket shelves hit by coronavirus panic

WOOLWORTHS has been forced to apply a purchase limit on toilet paper packs to ensure customers do not miss out on the product.

The limit comes as more people stock up on supplies amid fears that Australia will declare a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

So far there are 10 confirmed cases of the virus in Victoria, with the most recent case – a man in his 30s – now in isolation at home.

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According to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, the man returned from Iran and became unwell with a mild illness on March 1, four days after arriving in Australia.

With coronavirus fears continuing to rise, some Mildura residents have noticed a shortage of toilet paper at local supermarkets over the past day.

A Woolworths spokesman said the new purchase limit of four packs of toilet paper per transaction applied in-store and online and would help shore up stocks as suppliers ramped up local production in response to higher than usual demand.

In some areas it is not just toilet paper that is proving a hot commodity.

“Our teams are continuing to work hard on restocking stores with extra deliveries of long-life food and household staples from our distribution centres,” the spokesman said.

“The vast majority of the products ranged in our stores remain available for our customers as normal.”

A Sunraysia Daily news story published on Facebook has caused mixed reactions, with some residents indicating that a toilet paper and hand sanitiser shortage at supermarkets had only happened in the past day.

Other residents expressed frustration that toilet paper might be more difficult to buy.

But Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said there was no need for panic and Australian retailers were well stocked.

“Australia is perhaps best placed to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, with advantages of distance, emergency management protocols being rolled out by the Federal Government, and a very small number of cases in this country, there is absolutely no need to panic or to engage in the emergency stockpiling of consumer goods,” he said.

“We’re comfortable there’s no risk to the availability of food or household essentials, with major retailers maintaining high inventories.”

People concerned about coronavirus and seeking further information can call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus.