Australia's supermarket chains have reintroduced purchase limits on toilet paper and other household items as a spike in coronavirus cases in the state of Victoria set off a fresh round of panic-buying over fears of anew stay-at-home order.
Woolworths Group Ltd and Coles Group Ltd, which together account for two-thirds of Australian grocery sales, said they were once again limiting purchases of toilet paper and paper towels to one or two packs per person after photos circulated on social media showing empty shelves in stores.
The buying restrictions - and images of stripped shelves - are a reminder of Australia's initial response to the arrival of Covid-19 when shoppers stockpiled household goods in anticipation of a protracted shutdown.