Don’t panic: PM in talks with Coles, Woolies for coronavirus

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on the public to keep calm and consult official sources of information on the coronavirus, not social media.

THE Prime Minister has spoken to Coles and Woolworths over panic buying and supply chain issues, urging Australians to show common sense, while the nation’s chief medical officer has dismissed suggestions of a handshake ban.

In a dramatic press conference, Scott Morrison also put the banks on notice, urging them to do the “right thing” and pass on any interest rate cut later today in full.

Mr Morrison advised toilet paper company Kimberly Clarke had ramped up production at its South Australian factory to keep supplies going.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been speaking with Coles and Woolworths about the coronavirus and supply chains. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

As reports come in from around the country of panic buying, the Prime Minister urged Australians to look for official sources of information on the Covid-19, like the Coronavirus Health Information Line, and not speculation on social media.

Mr Morrison said he spoke with major retailers Coles and Woolworths today and was satisfied with their efforts at maintaining supplies.

“I appreciate their response and the steps they are taking to assure people and their own customers,” he said.

“It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner.

“They had spoken to me about the arrangements they have in place around their supply lines and things like this, but I would just urge people to be going about their business in the normal way when it comes to those matters.”

He said he was not concerned about the supply chains of those companies, but that it was important to have an understanding of the processes they put in place.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is working on arrangements to allow Coles and Woolworths to work together to ensure essential supplies are maintained, he revealed.

Mr Morrison said Kimberly Clark, which produces toilet paper, had increase manufacturing in South Australia to ensure continued supply.

“I welcome that, and that is a direct response, having worked with retailers, about what they need. I am sure that will come as a great relief to everybody,” he said.

He also said banks should follow Qantas lead in responding to the coronavirus and pass on any rate cuts announced today, comparing it to the airliner arranging evacuation flights out of Wuhan.

“There is no doubt that if the (reserve) bank were to take a decision today on cash rates that the government would absolutely expect the four big banks to come to the table and to do their bit in supporting Australians as we go through the impact of the coronavirus,” Mr Morrison said.

“I don’t see it any different to what Qantas did when we called out to Qantas and we said, we need your help … and Qantas showed up.”

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has played down NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard’s call for people to stop shaking hands during the health crisis.

Prof Murphy said people who had flu-like symptoms who had returned from countries with the infection should maintain social distance and not shake hands, but that did not apply to the general public.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy has dismissed the handshake ban suggested by the NSW Health Minister. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

“The same as you would if you think you have the flu. But if you have come back from South Korea or Italy or Iran, then we would certainly want you to practise some social distancing, not go to mass gatherings, and in that context, not shaking hands,” Prof Murphy said.

“We are not suggesting those practices should be considered by the broader general community.”

Mr Morrison also indicated he was working on a moderate stimulus package to respond to the economic impacts of the virus, an increase from last week when he suggested it would be modest.

“That is what we are trying to address. Keeping businesses in business, keeping Australians in jobs,” he said.

“Ensuring that they are in a position to be there on the other side when the economy bounces back, and our economy is going to bounce back and Australia is going to bounce back and I want it to bounce back stronger than anywhere else in the world.”

The Coronavirus Health Information Line is on 1800 020 080.