Lockdown fallout: Aisle anarchy, supermarket punches and wedding day disasters

As unprecedented panic set in across Brisbane ahead of lockdown, punches were thrown, supermarkets were stripped bare and weddings were rushed forward.

Unprecedented panic set in across southeast Queensland in the hours before the start of the enforced lockdown as chaos reigned on roads and in shopping centres.

Punches were thrown and supermarkets stripped bare as panicked Queenslanders defied government advice to raid shelves and stock up on supplies ahead of a three-day lockdown.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s early warning for people to stay calm and avoid a panic was largely ignored, with police forced to intervene as shopping centres and traffic descended into chaos.

Hundreds of people line up to get into Woolworths at Gasworks Plaza in Newstead after it was announced Greater Brisbane will go into lockdown for 3 days from 6pm. Pics Adam Head

There were reports of scuffles at some stores as staple items flew off shelves, with many fearing the three-day lockdown would be extended.

At supermarkets across the city, lines to just get in the doors were 300-plus deep and stretched for hundreds of metres.

As a result, supermarkets introduced limits on products after shopping centres were flooded with panic buyers ahead of greater Brisbane’s looming lockdown.

Both Woolworths and Coles reinstated limits on products in the greater Brisbane region both in store and online after panic buying on Friday.

Huge lines at Skygate Woolworths. Picture: David Clark

Toilet paper, canned vegetables, pasta, flour and meat are some of the products that have been limited.

On Saturday morning, produce isles remained in low supply after Friday’s panic, however queues to enter the shops and at checkouts had subsided.

Fresh produce remains in low supply at Woolworths Gasworks. Picture: Shiloh Payne

Milk and bread supplies have been restocked at Woolworths Gasworks Plaza but meat and vegetable supplies have been impacted after yesterday’s influx.

Woolworths Gasworks Plaza has also instated an optional check in system via QR code.

Coles New Farm’s toilet paper supplies have been cleaned out.

Coles at Toombul Shopping Centre was fully stocked with toilet paper and produce after manic scenes yesterday that saw shoppers wait two hours to get into supermarkets.

Nicole Ford shopped at Coles Toombul yesterday to grab a few items after the announcement was made, but was able to get the rest of her supplies today.

“I came down early in the morning before all the chaos happened,” she said.

Meat supplies are still quite low after Friday's panic buying. Picture: Shiloh Payne

Ms Ford said she did her regular shop on a Saturday, and the Friday announcement was likely to make people panic for a similar reason.

Meanwhile, at Woolworths Spring Hill had low supplies of all meat with only seafood on the shelves.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said it was disappointing that she was unable to get all her supplies in the one place.

“I was surprised there was no meat at all, but that’s okay I’ll just find a butcher,” she said.

Aldi in Toombul was low on frozen meals but had an entire pallet of toilet paper.

Woolworths Gasworks has an optional QR code check-in system in place. Picture: Shiloh Payne

Theatres, churches, gyms, community centres, pools, museums, golf courses, gardens, libraries and shops across the southeast have closed until at least Tuesday.

Open houses and auctions in areas locked down have also been called off for at least the next three days.

This weekend’s lockdown will also force holidays, birthday parties and baby showers to be cancelled or postponed – with new restrictions also capping weddings at 10 people and funerals at 20.

QEII Jubilee Hospital covid testing queues on Friday. Photo Steve Pohlner

Brisbane celebrant Ann Ricketts said she had heard of two weddings planned for the weekend that were moved forward to Friday to beat the restrictions.

Others were postponed or cancelled.

Hillstone sales and events manager Donika Mehmet said a couple were able to have their ceremony, but had to postpone their plans for a reception because of the strict 6pm lockdown.

“We actually were able to chat with the couple this afternoon,” she said.

“We’re postponing their wedding reception until a later date.”

Ms Mehmet said another couple were scheduled to marry on Tuesday.

“This particular couple have been through quite a lot,” she said.

“We’re staying positive that we can go ahead with their wedding as planned for 30 guests on Tuesday … we’re just going to play it by ear for now.”

Ms Mehmet said the function space also had a funeral postponed.

She said a service for a man in his 20s, with a guest list of 200, was to be held on Saturday but had to be cancelled following the announcement.

Walkabout Creek and Wildlife Centre and Daisy Hill Koala Centre will close as the Department of Environment urges people to stay away from national parks and state forests.

A Jetstar flight travelling from Brisbane to the Northern Territory was also sent back moments after it landed at Uluru.

The flight landed about 9.30am before it was turned around with all passengers on board after the government declared Brisbane a hotspot.

“I want to thank Jetstar, they immediately turned this flight around and are returning those passengers to Brisbane,” NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Nicole Manison said.

Coles Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindells assured shoppers that additional staff would be rostered on to meet demand.

“We have increased the number of team members in stores and expanded our Coles Online capacity to help serve customers quickly and safely during this busy time,” he said.

“We thank our amazing teams who are working tremendously hard and we appreciate our customers for their patience and for treating our team members with respect as we work through this challenging time together.”

Massive line ups at Brookfield supermarkets. Photo: Kate Kyriacou

Woolworths Supermarkets Director of Stores, Rob Moffat said the supermarket had stock to draw on from suppliers and distribution centres and it would continue to flow into stores.

“We understand this is an anxious time for Brisbane residents, however we want to reassure our customers we will remain open as an essential service to support their food and grocery needs during the temporary lockdown,” he said.

Customers have been reminded to remain respectful towards staff in this difficult time.

WOOLWORTHS LIMITS

Items limited to two per customer

■ Antibacterial Wipes

■ Canned Fish

■ Canned Tomatoes

■ Canned Vegetables

■ Flour

■ Frozen Chips

■ Frozen Desserts

■ Frozen Fruit

■ Frozen Vegetables

■ Long Life Milk

■ Liquid Hand Wash

■ Noodles

■ Pasta

■ Paper Towel

■ Rice

■ Sugar

■ Tissues

■ Toilet Paper

■ Bread (loaves)

■ Chilled Pasta

■ Eggs

■ Fresh Milk (excluding flavoured)

■ Meat

■ Burgers, Rissoles and Meatballs

■ Mince (fixed weight only)

■ Sausages

■ 2 x packs Beef

■ 2 x packs Chicken

■ 2 x packs Pork

■ 2 x packs Lamb

■ Meat from the butcher

■ 2kg Limit on Poultry from the Deli

COLES LIMITS

Items limited to two per customer

■ Dairy Milk

■ Chilled Pasta

■ Poultry Thighs

■ Poultry Breasts

■ Mince

■ Burgers

■ Sausages

■ Long Life Milk

■ Pasta

■ Flour

■ Rice

■ Sugar

■ Eggs

■ Hand Sanitiser

■ Liquid Soaps

■ Paper Towels

■ Tissues

■ Toilet Paper

■ Frozen Vegetables

■ Frozen Chips

■ Canned Meals

■ Canned Fish

■ Canned Vegetables

■ Pre-Packed Seafood

■ Noodles

■ Face Masks