Perth lockdown 2021: Residents rush to supermarkets after lockdown announcement

Perth residents ignored a plea from the WA premier not to ‘panic buy’ after it was announced the city would be going into lockdown.

Perth residents ignored a plea from Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan not to ‘panic buy’ after it was announced the city would be going into lockdown for the next five days.

As he addressed the media to announce the lockdown on Sunday afternoon, Mr McGowan said: “There is no need to rush to the supermarket. There will not be a shortage of toilet paper or other goods. You will be able to go out and shop for essentials over the course of this week. I urge everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly.”

But his plea fell of deaf ears with Perth residents rushing to supermarkets to stock up.

Social media quickly lit up with photos and videos showing long queues at supermarkets around the city.

RELATED: Full list of lockdown restrictions in Perth

People are pictured flooding into Coles Southern River on the outside of Perth as the city heads into lockdown with new community transmissions of COVID-19. Picture: Instagram / Perthguts

“People have lost their minds,” one person captioned a video showing their local Coles filled shoulder-to-shoulder with unmasked shoppers.

“The virus isn’t turning up at 6pm. It’s already there. That’s why you’re going into lockdown. You need a mask more than you need toilet paper,” another added.

The state’s Police Commissioner Chris Dawson begged WA residents to be “considerate” when venturing to the supermarket.

“Do not do panic shopping,” he echoed the premier, who repeatedly advised that “there is no need to rush” for groceries.

“We just have to respond in the way that we responded previously, and we will get through this in consideration of all our vulnerable people in the community.”

Woolworths Dianella Plaza. pic.twitter.com/7dLqolfFFs

— Gareth Parker (@G_Parker) January 31, 2021

Queues at Innaloo shopping centre right now. 📷 Mum Leckie. #COVID19 #covidWA pic.twitter.com/4AKFzyZ08e

— Evelyn Leckie (@Evelyn_Leckie) January 31, 2021

Woolworths Melville - #perthnews #covid19WA pic.twitter.com/9rIC3gNAg7

— Bryce Steele (@brycesteele13) January 31, 2021

Bit hectic at Coles Karawara #Perth pic.twitter.com/6xwUP8OvbT

— Steve Allen (@ScubaStv) January 31, 2021

The WA press conference on Covid outbreak is still going. They’ve asked people not to rush supermarkets. I’ve just been sent this. #Perth #Covid pic.twitter.com/p9MoFJdhlR

— Stella 💫 (@channing_stella) January 31, 2021

somewhat regretting my grocery day being today #perth pic.twitter.com/edDAM5ILVo

— Amy Louise Doherty (@amyloudoherty) January 31, 2021