Huge lines have formed outside supermarkets in Adelaide, as South Australia heads into a second lockdown.
The state’s premier Steven Marshall announced the strict new measures on Wednesday, as the Covid-19 cluster grew to 22 confirmed cases.
However, South Australia’s police commissioner Grant Stevens has warned the state’s residents not to panic buy in anticipation of the lockdown starting at midnight on Wednesday.
“There is no need for people to rush to supermarkets and if you do go shopping this afternoon, you should expect that you will be managed by staff at the supermarkets and we will have police officers on standby,” Mr Stevens said.
The commissioner said police would attend and react to any civil disorder.
The state’s chief medical officer also told people there is no need to rush to supermarkets.
“We all need to look after each other,” Professor Nicola Spurrier said.
“There’s no point panicking and rushing to the shops and buying up lots of toilet paper. We have to be looking out for other people.”
Despite this, hordes of people have flocked to supermarkets to get essential items.
Photos sent to Yahoo News Australia show people lining up outside Foodland on Norwood Parade in Adelaide.
While social media posts also suggest “panic buying has begun”.
The premier also assured people there would be time to get essential items for the six-day lockdown, which will be followed by an eight-day period where restrictions will be eased.
“We are keeping supermarkets open in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“There is no point going off to the supermarket this afternoon.”
All schools, pubs, cafes and restaurants will close during the six-day lockdown, with the message to South Australians being “stay at home”, though people are allowed to leave their home to access essential services.
Masks must be worn at all times if people do need to leave their home.
Outdoor sport, travel, wedding and funerals are not permitted while aged care facilities will be in lockdown and the construction industry will be shut down.
Supermarkets reintroduce buying limits
Woolworths has reintroduced buying limits on toilet paper, paper towel and tissues in South Australia, though it only applies to online orders, according to Woolworths website.
Yahoo News Australia has reached out to Woolworths for comment.
Yesterday, Coles reintroduced buying limits to deter people from panic buying and ensure all customers have access to essential items.
A two-pack per customer limit has been implemented at all Coles supermarkets and Coles Express stores and Coles Online orders within South Australia.
“The limits do not currently apply to any other states or products, however we will continue to monitor stock levels and ask that customers purchase only what they need,” a Coles spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia on Tuesday.
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2020-11-18 03:38:00
