Alcohol stores across Australia are putting limits on the amount of liquor customers can buy in one transaction, in a bid to prevent panic buying during the coronavirus outbreak.
Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, Dan Murphy's, BWS and Aldi are among some of the stores to sign up to the voluntary code, put together by bottle shop industry body Retail Drinks Australia and in place from Tuesday.
The restrictions will not apply in Western Australia, where tighter limits are already in place.
Retail Drinks chief executive Julie Ryan said the limits were created in response to government concern customers could change their buying behaviours and cause supply interruptions similar to those experienced by the supermarkets.
Beer, cider and pre-mixed spirits will be limited to two cases, and wine to 12 bottles per customer.
Cask wine and bottled spirits will be limited to two items each.
"We know that consumers like to feel certainty of supply during times of crisis, and our members want to do their part to encourage people [to continue] to purchase alcohol responsibly as they normally would," Ms Ryan said.
"Our suppliers in breweries, wineries, distilleries and the wholesale and distribution of drinks continue to be fully operational and this means there are no issues of supply."
The Commonwealth Bank's online broker, CommSec, said it had noticed a "surge" of spending on alcohol in the past week.
Last week West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the state's restrictions were "sensible measures" during the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Alcohol-related issues take up an enormous amount of resources in our health system. These are resources we simply cannot afford to spare during the COVID-19 situation," Mr McGowan said.
"We expect our hospital system to be under pressure in coming weeks, and we need as many hospital staff as possible on hand to assist."
Drinkwise Australia is urging people not to use alcohol as a coping mechanism during the coronavirus pandemic.
