‘Get ahead of this madness’: Panic buyers rush to get toilet paper after SA virus explosion

Panic buying is back, with South Australians stocking up on toilet paper from 6am this morning amid a new coronavirus cluster in the state.

Panic buying has struck Australia again - this time in South Australia.

Shoppers are rushing to stock up on toilet paper after an explosion in coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.

Adelaide stores were reportedly being stripped of stock as early 6am, with several supermarkets now showing bare shelves.

People have taken to social media to implore supermarkets to once again impose buying limits so the state doesn’t run out of stock.

“Woolworths and Coles, looks like it’s time to bring back the limit on toilet paper purchasing in SA, already saw someone buying three 24 packs of toilet paper this morning,” one woman wrote on Twitter.

“Please get ahead of this madness and impose a limit so there is plenty for everyone!”

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Toilet paper already gone in some supermarkets as @marshall_steven announces restrictions for SA after cluster. #covid19SA pic.twitter.com/rK9gzTO41o

— Christina Cavaleri (@Christina_Cav) November 16, 2020

It comes after a small family cluster exploded to 17 cases this morning, sparking restrictions to be brought back in.

The changes will be imposed from midnight tonight and will likely be in place for the next two weeks at least.

7 News reports 15 pallets of toilet paper were sold this morning at Kilburn Costco, leaving shelves bare and forcing a one pack per customer rule for members.

Golden Grove Woolworths and Coles Glenelg were also reported to have empty shelves.

“Shelves being stripped of toilet paper in Adelaide suburbs already following the COVID outbreak,” another woman wrote on Twitter.

“Why do people do this? Most of Australia’s loo paper is made in SA. What you gonna do with it all? Eat loo paper? What about old people who can’t get to the shops.”

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Costco members face toilet paper limits. Picture: 7 News

People said it was not an appropriate response to the latest news.

The Parafield cluster, described by the state’s chief public health officer as “very serious”, has sparked mass testing across the state, while Australia’s other jurisdictions raced to make changes to their border regulations.

SA reported three local coronavirus cases late last night among a family that has members working in hotel quarantine, aged and health care and a large prison.

Four more members of the family were showing symptoms late yesterday with 15 of them now testing positive to coronavirus.

The remaining two cases in the Parafield cluster are not related to the family but are linked.

The state’s last case of unknown community transmission was more than seven months ago – on April 15.