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Coles and Woolworths remove purchase limits despite jump in Melbourne coronavirus cases - ABC News

Product limits imposed recently on certain items at all Woolworths supermarkets across the country have been lifted with one big exception: toilet paper.

The company imposed limits in Victoria last Friday on a number of products, such as flour, sugar, pasta, long-life milk, eggs, rice, toilet paper and paper towel, amid concerns over a spike in coronavirus cases.

Coles is also removing all purchase limits across its supermarkets nationally, including online purchases and Coles Express outlets starting from today.

Bare shelves on the Coles cold cuts section in Richmond.
Coles and Woolworths are removing all purchase limits, except for on toilet paper at Woolworths.(Supplied)

In a statement, Coles said: "We thank customers for their patience and understanding while the limits were in place to help us manage increased demand in stores and temporary delays in our Victorian supply chain."

"We ask that customers continue to buy only what they need and observe all safety and physical-distancing measures in our stores."

Last week, 10 Melbourne suburbs in the city's north and west were thrust back into lockdown and the limits on toilet paper and paper towel were imposed across the country.

Today, Victoria has reimposed stage three restrictions for six weeks in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the stay-at-home orders would be reimposed from midnight tomorrow, with exceptions for essentials such as shopping for food and supplies, medical reasons and exercise.

People returned to their normal shopping routines over the past week, said Claire Peters, the managing director of Woolworth's Supermarkets.

"With demand moderating, there is more than enough stock flowing through from our distribution warehouses and into our stores to support all our customers' grocery needs."

Ms Peters said the company would reimpose the limits if necessary.

'I feel like there will be more panic buying'

Nearly empty milk fridge at Coles
Milk supplies were limited over the weekend at Coles Swan Street in Richmond.(Supplied)

In the past week, residents across Melbourne have shared their grievances online over empty shelves and difficulties finding staple items.

Dairy products, juice, vegetables, fruits and bread are just some of the items many people said were difficult to find in their local supermarkets, despite not being in a lockdown area.

Richmond resident Peter Spittle told the ABC he went shopping for groceries at the Victoria Gardens Coles two days ago.

"Milk has been tricky to find and lots of the fresh green leafy veggies have been hard to find as well … however, we were able to get toilet paper."

Mr Spittle said he hoped supermarkets would take more action to ensure everyone had access to essential items.

"I like [the supermarkets'] enthusiasm, but I think if this pandemic has demonstrated anything it's that companies have consistently underestimated demand," he said.

Late last month, a worker at Coles' Laverton distribution centre tested positive to coronavirus.

Coles subsequently said it was experiencing some short-term delays on deliveries of items to stores due to hundreds of workers at the distribution centre in Melbourne's west being tested for coronavirus.

Despite the surge in sales in recent weeks, experts have offered reassurance that the nation's food security is not under threat.

There were 191 new confirmed cases announced in Victoria today, with 37 linked to known outbreaks and the remaining 154 under investigation.

The Premier said the new restrictions were the result of the "unacceptably" high number of new cases.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA3LTA3L2NvbGVzLXdvb2x3b3J0aHMtcmVtb3ZlLXNob3BwaW5nLXJlc3RyaWN0aW9ucy1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy8xMjQzMDYzONIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjQzMDYzOA?oc=5

2020-07-07 08:41:50Z
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