Panic buying has gripped Queensland as people prepare for compulsory lockdown after the deadly and highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19 was detected in the state's southeast.
Major supermarkets are reportedly considering reinstating limits on toilet paper and paper towels following a surge in demand linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Massive crowds have stripped supermarket shelves of toiletries, perishables and canned goods with lines stretching for hundreds of metres at some stores.
Shoppers face long waits during the countdown to the 6pm Friday deadline, with social media flooded with images of bare shelves and long checkout lines.
Queenslanders also face the first mandatory order to don face masks outside their homes prompting a rush to get the essential protection.
Shoppers have swarmed pharmacies and Bunnings where the masks have been sold in bulk in recent months.
Greater Brisbane will enter the hard lockdown after a cleaner at a quarantine hotel was diagnosed with the highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19.
Residents in the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redlands will be required to stay at home until 6pm Monday except for essential work, exercise, essential shopping and to access healthcare or to look after the vulnerable.
Masks will be mandated in the Greater Brisbane area for anyone outside their home, aside from children under 12.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state had decided "to go hard and go early" to contain potential spread of the virus.
"If we do not do this now it could end up being a 30-day lockdown," she said.
"I know this is going to be tough on businesses over the next few days, but I'm thinking about your long term futures as well," Ms Palaszczuk said.
AAP has contacted Woolworths, Coles and Bunnings for comment.
