Snap Covid-19 lockdown in southeast Queensland sends Sunshine Coast residents into panic buying
Sunshine Coast residents have ignored a stern message from health officials not to panic buy ahead of the snap lockdown with long lines forming at supermarket checkouts.
Sunshine Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sunshine Coast residents are rushing to get supplies ahead of the southeast Queensland three-day lockdown, as long lines begin to form at supermarket checkouts.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said 11 LGAs, including Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, will enter a three-day lockdown from 4pm Saturday as six new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 were recorded overnight.
The restrictions will be the strictest the state has seen since the pandemic began, with people only allowed to travel 10km from their home for essential reasons. SEE THE FULL LIST OF RESTRICTIONS HERE.
Birtinya resident Larina Robinson said she was doing her weekly shop at Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre when news broke about the lockdown.
Ms Robinson said the lines at the checkout of Aldi were “long” and she could see more people trying to get their shopping done as she left the store.
“The line of cars was ridiculous trying to go to Bunnings,” she said.
Residents also took to social media to express their frustrations with panic buyers as many reported long lines at stores across the Coast.
“The line is all the way around the supermarket at Woolworths in Civic,” one wrote.
“Couldn’t get parked in the IGA Peregian. The worlds (sic) gone barmy,” another said.
“Absolute madness.”
Michelle Steley said on Facebook the checkout line at Woolworths in Kawana Shoppingworld was “42 trolleys deep”.
Mr Miles warned people should not be panic buying as it could lead to further spread of the virus.
“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,” he said on Saturday.
“We have been in contact with the supermarkets, they are all well supplied.
“So, anyone rushing stockpiling, it just makes the jobs of our supermarkets and our essential workers in those supermarkets even harder and more risky.”
The Daily contacted several supermarkets across the Coast but was unsuccessful.
NAMED: Man allegedly kidnaps woman, punches driver in head
A man has been charged with allegedly kidnapping a woman and repeatedly punching an elderly man in the head while trying to steal his car to escape police during wild scenes on the Sunshine Coast last night. SEE THE VIDEO.
$190m in works awarded for Borumba, including design of two huge worker camps
Three major works packages have been awarded for the Borumba Pumped Hydro developments, marking a significant next stage of the the 2000 MW renewable energy project.