Coronavirus: Pendle Hill shoppers’ panic buying
Shoppers are queuing outside a western Sydney butchery before the crack of dawn to get a jump start on the coronavirus panic-buying frenzy.
Parramatta
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parramatta . Followed categories will be added to My News.
- NSW records fifth coronavirus death
- Church turns to technology to deal with coronavirus
- Coronavirus serves Church St restaurants a double blow
Hundreds of trolley-wielding consumers have resorted to lining up at Pendle Hill Meat Market in the darkness so they can restock on meat and toilet paper during the coronavirus outbreak.
Pendle Hill Meat Market manager Scott Lee said about 200 customers of all ages were queuing outside from 5.45am, well ahead of the 6.30am opening time, not just to buy meat but napkins, fruit and vegetables, but “everything”.
“It’s been getting worse for the last three weeks,’’ he said.
“It’s ridiculous, everyone’s just gone nuts. People are getting the shits and walking out but if they can’t find it here they won’t find it anywhere.”
The market, which is one of Australia’s biggest butcheries, sold out of toilet paper three weeks ago and has recorded “at least another 50 per cent’’ boost in trade since the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Lee is confident it can continue supplying meat which is sourced from its farm in the Southern Highlands.
Shoppers’ zealous measures are no surprise.
As of 10am today, there was no toilet paper available at Pendle Hill shops.
Woolworths Metro’s toilet paper aisle shelves were bare and Pendle Hill MediAdvice Pharmacy’s shelves were also stripped of the bathroom essentials.
At Woolworths, there was only a handful of pasta available and the frozen vegetable and meat fridges were almost bare.
Constitution Hill shopper Ivona Latu said she and her mother, for whom she is the full-time carer, were forced to use napkins for toilet paper.
Ms Latu does not drive so carries out a “big shop” at Pendle Hill or Toongabbie once a month.
“It’s my Mum I’m worried about because she’s diabetic,’’ she said.
“My focus is on her medication, she’s insulin-dependent. It’s just breaking my heart seeing the older people shopping.’’
The coronavirus pandemic has also forced Gina Samolis to take more precautions.
The Greek woman has been visiting her Girraween family since March 8 and is preparing to self-quarantine in her Athens home when she returns next Wednesday.
“Greece has taken drastic measures. They saw what happened in Italy and Spain and everyone has to stay at home,’’ she said.
“A lot of Greeks don’t agree with that but I think they should.”
This morning, she was shopping with her mother 83-year-old mother Sophia at Woolworths but the stock shortage shifted them to an Indian grocery store.
Eventually, they left.
“It’s too busy,’’ Ms Samolis said.