Coronavirus Australia: Toilet paper panic buying makes a comeback

Toilet paper shelves are again emptying in supermarkets in Melbourne’s coronavirus hot spots as shoppers fill their trolleys.

Shoppers stock up on toilet paper in Melbourne. Picture: Paul Jeffers.

There are signs of a resurgence of panic buying in Melbourne’s coronavirus hot spots and neighbouring suburbs with toilet paper shelves again emptying in some areas.

Victoria has recorded a double digit increase in coronavirus cases for the seventh day running, with 17 new cases confirmed on Tuesday.

Only one of those cases was detected in a recently returned overseas traveller in hotel quarantine, while two have been linked to known outbreaks.

Premier Daniel Andrews said authorities expected to make more information about Tuesday’s cases public over the course of the day, as they were able to confirm it.

“There will be some significant community transmission within those numbers,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is still with us. This is not over.”

Mr Andrews confirmed two more Victorian schools had been shut down due to COVID-19 cases.

Both are in local government areas which have been declared coronavirus hot spots.

While stores remain under the 200 person capacity, there are fewer signs of a focus on hygiene. Shoppers are no longer wiping their trolleys and staff aren’t standing by to disinfect baskets any more.

Toilet paper shelves are emptying again. Picture: Suppled.

Customers at the Taylors Hill Coles, where many residents of coronavirus hotspot suburb Brimbank do their shopping, were on Tuesday buying large packs of toilet paper for large families or other relatives but said they were not worried others were panic buying.

Bree said she wasn’t worried about stock, and being 39 weeks pregnant she would continue to buy only what she could carry.

A Woolworths spokesman said customer demand had remained steady.

“Our stock levels are good, but we’ll continue to closely monitor,” he said.