Thousands hit Woolworths in Alice Springs in panic buying frenzy ahead of lockdown

THERE was a long line of shoppers at the Woolworths Alice Springs checkout within an hour of a 72-hour snap lockdown being announced by the NT government

• Alice Springs to go into lockdown after man with symptoms visits airport, tests positive interstate
• Chief Minister confirms no new Covid-19 cases recorded in the Territory in the last 24 hours

THERE was a long line of shoppers at the Woolworths Alice Springs checkout within an hour of a 72-hour snap lockdown being announced by the NT government.

Thousands of Alice Springs residents have started stocking up on grocery items in a panic buying ahead of the 1pm lockdown.

Shelves of essential items such as bread and toilet paper were either empty nearly bare at 12.30pm.

People were lining up at the pharmacy to buy masks, which are being sold in a pack of 10 for $10, with a one-pack limit per person.

Shops have closed in Alice Springs ahead of the 72-hour lockdown. Picture: Jasmine Burke

The streets are lined with cars looking for a park or leaving work in the CBD and businesses in streets, including the Todd Mall, have already closed.

Cars lined up outside bottle shops in the town before they opened at 2pm.

Lines outside an Alice Springs bottle shop ahead of the 72-hour lockdown. Picture: Jasmine Burke

Alice Springs will plunge into lockdown for 72 hours as a “full precautionary measure” after a mine worker, who travelled from the region to South Australia, tested positive for the virus in Adelaide.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the man was at the Alice Springs Airport on Friday, June 25 between 9am and 3.50pm. He did not exit the airport.

The man travelled to Adelaide and returned a negative Covid-19 test but developed symptoms.

South Australian health authorities said he had another test, which was confirmed positive, along with his wife and three of four of his children.

Shops have closed in Alice Springs ahead of the 72-hour lockdown. Picture: Jasmine Burke

Mr Gunner said it was unlikely he was infectious at Alice Springs Airport but it was a precaution to lock down the region.

The cafe section of Alice Springs Airport is considered a close contact site, with anyone who was in the area between on Friday, June 25 between 9am and 3.50pm is required to self-isolate and get tested for Covid-19, and remain in quarantine for 14 days.

Follow @jasmineaburke