SA supermarket trading hours extended to allow social distancing

South Australian supermarkets have been given this option to allow for better social distancing during the state’s lockdown.

South Australia will be able to shop for longer – with stores given the option of 24-hour weekday trade – to help support social distancing measures during the state’s lockdown.

A government exemption has been approved to allow the extended trading for the next 14 days.

It will run until Wednesday, December 2 inclusive.

Supermarkets have the option to open for 24 hours during the week and open an extra four hours on Saturday, November 21 and 28 and close at 9pm instead of 5pm.

Supermarket trading hours have been extended for the next two weeks to help facilitate social distancing. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Trading for the next two Sundays will also be allowed from 9am to 9pm instead of 11am to 5pm.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said the extended hours would enable supermarkets and other essential stores, like pharmacies, to cater for vulnerable customers, including the elderly and people with a disability.

“We have always acted according to public health advice, and SA Health supports this extended trade as a way of promoting critical physical distancing,” he said.

Shoppers queued at supermarkets across the state after Premier Steven Marshall announced new lockdown restrictions. Picture: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

“We have seen huge queues outside supermarkets right across the city and suburbs.

“And in these challenging times, we want to make it as easy and safe as possible for South Australians to get the groceries they need, while giving supermarkets the flexibility they need to cater for increased consumer demand while supporting staff.”

Employees who work during the extended trading periods will do so on a voluntary basis and cannot be forced to work additional hours.

The tougher restrictions first announced on Monday sparked panic buying across SA, with toilet paper flying off shelves. Photos: Lucy Rutherford

Supermarkets across the state were seen with large queues of customers outside following Wednesday’s announcement of the six-day lockdown.

Shoppers also began panic buying at the beginning of the week, forcing Woolworths and Coles to reinstate purchase limits across all SA stores.

While Coles has a limit on toilet paper, Woolworths capped purchases on a large list of its products, including meats, fruits and vegetables and cleaning products.