Covid Qld: Long lockdown lines at grocery stores despite advice

Ekka preparations have become the latest victim of southeast Queensland’s snap three-day lockdown, with organisers putting preparations on hold. It comes as panic buying left huge lines at supermarkets across the region.

Preparation for Brisbane’s iconic Ekka has been put on hold for 24 hours due to Queensland’s snap three-day lockdown.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou announced on Saturday afternoon that Queensland Health had advised the RNA to pause preparations and competitions until at least 4pm on Sunday.

“Due to the three-day lockdown announced this morning, Queensland Health have advised the RNA to put Ekka preparations on hold for 24 hours.

“This means that all building activity on site, planning and competitions have been paused for 24 hours in line with the measures announced by the Government.

“We will provide the media with a further update tomorrow once this decision has been reviewed by Queensland Health and the RNA.”

The Ekka was initially on track to open to the public from August 7 to August 15.

Meanwhile, clear advice that shopping centres will remain open hasn’t seemed to reach people as long lines of shoppers are clearing the shelves at supermarkets across Brisbane.

Long lines have been seen in Hamilton and Banyo after Deputy Premier Steven Miles urged to community not to rush supermarkets.

“Grocery stores will stay open throughout the lockdown, so please don’t think you need to rush to get essential items, you are permitted to leave your homes for essential items,” Mr Miles said.

The panic buying has begun. Coles New Farm packed even though supermarkets will stay open during lockdown. @[e-mail]/MvG6HmZAd9

— Johnpaul Gonzo (@JohnpaulGonzo) July 31, 2021

Long lines of people waiting outside a Banyo supermarket. Photo: Facebook

“Please don’t rush our grocery stores, that creates a risk of infection we want to avoid, we have been in contact with supermarkets, they are all well supplied.

“Anyone rushing, stockpiling just makes the job of our grocery stores and essential workers in those supermarkets harder and more risky.”

A long line up of people at a supermarket in Hamilton. Photo: Facebook

Within minutes of the announcement, long lines began to form at supermarkets across the Gold Coast and other LGAs, with people facing long waits to pay at checkouts.

The announcement also led to the Gold Coast Suns being forced to call off their clash with Melbourne at the Metricon Stadium, which was due to start at 3.10pm.

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みんな「crazy!carzy!」だって言ってるけど、並んでる😂#lockdown#goldcoast#ロックダウンpic.twitter.com/WQWPYwjkRs

— Kana -海外子育て in Gold Coast - (@kana_gc) July 31, 2021

In a statement, the club said the game would be played on another date.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union round 14 matches due to be played on Saturday afternoon were also called off. The board will meet on Monday night to choose whether to proceed with the semi-final or whether to replay round 14.

Mum reporting long lines at the supermarket on the Gold Coast😬 pic.twitter.com/VhX4ouOHp3

— Josh Nicholas (@joshcnicholas) July 31, 2021

Shoppers have taken to social media to report lines “out the door”, with some people reporting waits of up to 30 minutes for a register.

Woolworths has reinstated a two-pack purchase limit on toilet paper in stores in wake of the lockdown announcement.

“We have plenty of stock in our supply chain and our team members will be hard at work making sure it continues to flow into our stores in large volumes for our customers,” a Woolworths statement read.

“As always, we encourage our customers to be mindful of others in the community and buy only what they need.”

“We also ask customers to follow all social distancing and COVIDsafe measures in our stores.”

Shoppers queue at the Racecourse Road Woolworths in Ascot. Picture: David Clarkies