Coles reintroduces toilet paper purchase limits as panic-buying surges amid Victoria’s lockdown

Coles has reintroduced buying limits on toilet paper to stem panic-buying as Victorians flocked to supermarkets ahead of a statewide lockdown.

Toilet paper sales have once again been limited to Victorians, as the state is plunged into a seven-day lockdown.

It will be the fourth lockdown period the state has faced since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Coles has introduced purchase limits in an attempt to stave-off panic buying.

Toilet paper shelves were cleaned out. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Coles spokesman said the two pack per person limit in Victoria was “temporary”.

“We have plenty of stock in our supply chain, and this temporary measure will help us to manage demand so that we can return our stores to a fully-stocked position as quickly as possible,” the spokesman said.

“All Coles supermarkets, liquor and Coles Express sites will continue to trade during the lockdown in Victoria with enhanced cleaning and safety measures in place.

“We ask that customers stay calm, shop normally, and be respectful to our hardworking team members.”

Coles said the purchase limits will be ‘temporary’. Picture: Alison Wynd

As of 11.59pm on Thursday night, Victorians can only leave their house for five reasons – to shop for essentials; for authorised work or permitted education, for exercise (two hour limit with one other person), caregiving, compassionate and medical reasons and to get vaccinated.

Woolworths has been contacted for comment.

More to come