Brisbane stores run low on stock in face of coronavirus

Australia’s top medical expert has been forced to appeal for calm amid panic buying of toilet paper that has seen remaining supplies rationed.

SHORTAGES of basic supplies including toilet paper are affecting retailers across Brisbane as people stock up in response to coronavirus concerns.

Despite Woolworths announcing a four-pack per person limit, Newstead Woolworths had sold out of toilet paper by 10am on Wednesday, leaving shoppers forced to buy tissues and bacterial wipes – which are also running low – as a replacement.

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One shopper, Nathalie Agirre said she travelled specifically to Coles New Farm to find toilet paper. AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Hand sanitiser had been sold out for days, and supplies of panadol, rice and pasta were dwindling at three Brisbane supermarkets visited by The Courier-Mail.

Nathalie Aguirre, 34, travelled specifically to Coles New Farm after her local supermarket in Waterford had sold out at 7am.

“It was 7am and everyone was waiting, they were packing their cars with tuna and toilet paper,” she said. “I couldn’t get any (toilet paper), it’s very scary. “Let’s hope that this is just a joke, and we’re just panicking for no reason and it’s not going to get any worse.”

I have an embarrassing confession. I tried to take a pic of my last 2 rolls of toilet paper to accompany a "funny" "should I be worried?" tweet. Wanted a nice backdrop so I put them on the edge of the balcony... Walking to Woolies now. Will let you know how I go. #toiletpapergate pic.twitter.com/8W5LWPEgek

— Daniel Johnson (@danjohnson1979) March 4, 2020

When approached by The Courier-Mail for an interview, another woman at New Farm Coles immediately said “you can’t have my toilet paper”.

A Gumtree post selling six packs of Quilton toilet paper for $120 (double the RRP) had made 36 sales.

Hand sanitiser had been sold out for days, and supplies of panadol, rice and pasta were dwindling at three Brisbane supermarkets. Photo taken at Woolworths at the Gasworks. AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Online toilet paper company, Who Gives A Crap, were completely sold out yesterday.

Chief Executive Simon Griffiths wrote online that Australian sales were 8x higher than usual, with New South Wales over indexing the most.

TerryWhite Chemmart Gasworks student pharmacist David Nguyen said he had received “quite a few” requests from customers to fill all script repeats due to coronavirus fears.

“They ask ‘can I have all my repeats at once?’ or ‘can I have two boxes at once?’,” he said.

“We ask them what is the reason and generally if they say the virus we don’t fill the repeats and tell them they should be fine.”

The shelves of many supermarkets in Brisbane are running low on toilet paper, tissues and hand sanitisers. Photo taken at Woolworths at the Gasworks. AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Shoppers have started to share locations of stores which have either run out of toilet paper or have stock available.

Bunnings Victoria Point and the Reject Shop had been pointed out as having stock available however Aldi Victoria Point and Capalaba, Coles Cleveland and Woolworths at Alexandra Hills were among those stores running out.

QUT Professor of Economics Benno Torgler, who has published in social psychology journals, said it’s “human nature” to panic buy items amid coronavirus fears, despite sobering statements from health officials that it’s unnecessary.

Non-perishables like pasta, tuna and other canned foods have been low in stock due to the panic buying. Photo taken at Woolworths at the Gasworks. AAP Image/Richard Goslingg

“As a human species we are people who like to plan ahead and as soon as we feel there is a danger, you have this instinctual reaction that you want to be safe,” Professor Torgler said.

“The instinct is very strong; it comes first and then afterwards other elements [like health advice] start kicking in.

“If people observe a difference between what somebody says and what you actually observe in the shops, like toilet paper disappearing, you actually have a quick response and a strong response to that behaviour.”

Other long-life and sanitary products have also been in high demand.

A Brisbane Woolworths had sold out of toilet paper by 10am, leaving shoppers forced to buy tissues and bacterial wipes – which are also running low – as a replacement. AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy told a senate hearing the government was urging people to calm down.

“We are trying to reassure people that removing all of the lavatory paper from the shelves of supermarkets probably isn’t a proportionate or sensible thing to do at this time,” he said.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young echoed his comments.

“It’s wise to always have some extra food at home and other supplies like medications and baby needs or pet food, however there is no need to excessively stockpile anything,” Dr Young said.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young has reminded people not to panic buy as shops are stripped of basic supplies as coronavirus concerns grow. PICTURE: Mark Calleja

“Queenslanders can prepare an emergency kit to last for 14 days that contains non-perishable food, medications and other supplies like baby needs or pet food.

“Emergency kits are good practice in preparation for any natural disaster or emergency situation.”

She reminded the community authorities were “leaving no stone unturned in keeping them safe from novel coronavirus” and suggested regular handwashing as the “gold standard of health advice as far as coronavirus goes.”

What’s being stockpiled

● Toilet paper

● Hand sanitiser

● Tissues

● Face masks

● Bottled water

● Flour

● Long-life foods and milk

● Soap

● Rice