Woolworths, Coles: No plans for purchase limits despite high demand
Retailers in Brisbane’s hot spots have again been bombarded as panic buying and coronavirus ‘nervousness’ re-emerged following the state’s latest COVID scare.
QLD Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Retailers will not reintroduce purchase limits despite a re-emergence of panic buying and coronavirus “nervousness” in the wake of Queensland’s latest contagion scare.
The National Retail Association has received feedback “panic-buying has begun to remerge” following concerns of a “second wave” starting in Queensland.
Parklands Christian College extends lockdown, students and staff to be retested
Bunnings and Woolworths encourage customers to wear face masks at virus hotspot stores
Qld coronavirus: No new cases of COVID-19 at start of ‘critical’ week
“There is a fair degree of nervousness over what may happen next and the consequences of a second-wave in Queensland,” NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said.
Shelves were stripped of toilet paper and sanitiser in Brisbane’s south on the weekend, with the area identified as a potential COVID-19 hot spot following the alleged illegal return of COVID-positive travellers last week.
Coles Kenmore endured what on employee called a “very busy” weekend as panicked shoppers loaded up on high-demand goods.
Bare shelves were spotted at Coles Forest Lake, while Brookwater Woolworths saw ‘increased toilet paper demand’ over the weekend.
On Monday, Buranda Woolworths had only “a little bit on-hand” when it came to toilet paper and hand sanitiser supplies, an employee said.
Toilet paper aisles at Burpengary Woolworths were also stripped bare on Monday.
The Courier Mail understands neither Coles, Woolworths nor Aldi has plans to reintroduce purchase limits.
Woolworths and Bunnings, however, “strongly recommended” customers shopping at stores in Queensland’s potential hot spots to wear masks.
Coles and Myer will not issue the same directive.
The NRA is also urging both customers and shoppers to remain vigilant.
“There has also been an increase is customers wearing masks and more businesses requiring mandatory facial wear to enter their store.”
Despite two recent community transmission cases in the southern Brisbane and Logan areas, Woolworth stores in Garden City, McArthur Chambers, Sunnybank and Acacia Ridge told The Courier-Mail their stock levels remained high.
There were no new cases of coronavirus in Queensland in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
More than 7000 people were tested in the 48 hours to this morning, and there are 12 active cases remaining, with seven in hospital.