Shelves stripped bare of toilet paper at Territory supermarkets following Covid case announcement

People have ignored pleas to remain calm and stripped toilet paper from NT supermarket shelves after news broke on Saturday that a man at a Territory mine site had tested positive to Covid-19.

Toilet paper shelves at Woolworths in the Darwin CBD were almost bare by 3pm today. Picture: Shlok Sharma

• NT mine workforce in isolation, authorities scrambling to reach up to 900 more contacts after worker tests positive to Covid-19

People have ignored pleas to remain calm and stripped toilet paper from supermarket shelves after news broke a man at a mine site in Central Australia tested positive to Covid-19.

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker’s request for people to not panic buy has fallen on deaf ears as loo paper shelves were left bare at the Darwin CBD Woolworths store on Saturday afternoon.

“You do not need to surge on shopping centres and purchase all sorts of commodities and products, that’s what actually does jeopardise their supply chain, there is sufficient food and supply,” he said.

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Union for Retail, Fast Food and Warehousing workers, SDA NT director Shlok Sharma called for calm and for shoppers to treat supermarket staff with respect.

He visited the Darwin City Woolworths around 3pm and found the shelves in toilet paper aisle bare bar a few packs.

“The last thing they (workers) need right now is someone hurling abuse or threatening essential workers over a pack of toilet paper or mince meat,” he said.

“When you’re out doing your shop, remember: retail workers don’t deserve a serve.