Supermarkets in Australia have reintroduced rationing after a surge in Covid-19 cases led to shoppers bulk buying goods on Friday.
Fears about a second wave of coronavirus created panic in the southern half of the country, where customers were seen stockpiling products including toilet roll, pasta, rice and flour.
Outlets Woolworths and Coles, which together account for two-thirds of Australian grocery sales, said they were once again limiting key purchases to one or two packs per person after photos circulated on social media showing empty shelves in stores.
The bulk buying comes after new coronavirus diagnoses increased by double-digits every day for the past week in Victoria, authorities announced.
Woolworths managing director Claire Peters said in a statement: “While the demand is not at the same level as Victoria, we’re taking preventative action [across the country] now to get ahead of any excessive buying this weekend and help maintain social distancing in our stores".
While Woolworths customers were limited to two packs of toilet roll each, Coles shoppers were rationed to one.
Both brands also permitted customers to only buy two packets of flour, sugar, pasta and rice.
The buying restrictions - and images of stripped shelves - recall Australia’s initial response to the arrival of Covid-19 when shoppers stockpiled household goods in anticipation of a protracted shutdown.
