If you’ve had to do some grocery shopping over the last few days and have noticed the shelves are slightly emptier, you aren’t alone. It’s about the same in almost every supermarket around the country – all thanks to panic buying.
In preparation for a possible pandemic of coronavirus in Australia, people have rushed into stores to get all sorts of supplies, like pasta, rice… and most importantly, toilet paper.
And it turns out, Australia has an OBSESSION with toilet paper. So much so, major supermarket chains like Woolworths have put in restrictions on how much toilet paper you can purchase in one go. Yep, it’s that crazy!
Despite the restrictions, people still have managed to wipe out shelves.
After @woolworths issued an announcement, I went to Woolies again trying to find something ….but… no luck.. #Covid_19 #toiletpapergate pic.twitter.com/xsL0ZlIl7P
— Sara Zhou (@SaraZho43506498) March 4, 2020
Don’t think it’s as nuts as we say? You need to see these clips…
First up, these Coles workers needed to barricade themselves in so they could do their jobs and fill up the shelves while shoppers wait to dive in on the freshly stocked goods.
Staff block off the aisle as they frantically replenish toilet paper supplies at Coles Hornsby last night. #toiletpapergate 📸: Russell Neale pic.twitter.com/BkdNQTaIDh
— 10 daily (@10Daily) March 3, 2020
This timelapse video shows people following a cart of toilet paper being pushed through the store, before grabbing whatever they needed once it came to a stop.
1m30s toilet paper delivery to out of stock. #coronavirus #sydney #topryde #woolworths pic.twitter.com/fipH8TgSEJ
— Chriscoveries (@Chriscoveries) March 3, 2020
These shoppers dived into some toilet paper stacked on the wall at a Woolworths store in Sydney.
Here’s some more examples of cleared out shelves. Insane stuff.
Has the world gone mad. Coles Donvale. I didn’t know corona virus causes explosive diarrhoea 🚽 #coronavirusaustralia #toiletpaper pic.twitter.com/O0PuUEotaT
— jason taylor (@jasemtaylor) March 3, 2020
It wouldn’t be ideal if you had just casually run out, would it? Yikes.
