Hours before Brisbane goes into a hard lockdown for three days, people have been spotted panic-buying and queueing for miles to get into supermarkets, even though grocery shopping is one of the allowable reasons to leave the house during the weekend’s lockdown.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced this morning that the Greater Brisbane area is to enter into a three-day lockdown from 6pm Friday after a confirmed case of the highly infectious UK coronavirus strain was discovered in the Queensland capital.
BREAKING: Following a confirmed case of the highly infections UK coronavirus strain, Greater Brisbane will be entering a three day lockdown.
These measures are tough, but they are important to keep our community safe.#covid19 pic.twitter.com/o8CfnRraYl
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 7, 2021
Like clockwork, frantic Brisbane folks have flocked to their nearest supermarkets to stock up for the long weekend of staying inside, causing massive lines and general chaos in shops.
And so it begins – about 50 people queuing to get into this Brisbane supermarket. #brisbane #lockdown pic.twitter.com/narAkVmHMY
— Simon Atkinson (@JournoAtko) January 8, 2021
@WeAreBrisbane PSA do not consider coming to @Coles Toowong for the next several hours pic.twitter.com/ZzArhwFO3x
— Mark Crowe (@marklcrowe) January 7, 2021
The queue for Woolworths at Gasworks, Newstead. (Credit: Helen Walpole) pic.twitter.com/7fLNgt9PGj
— Aaron O’Brien (@Aaron_OBrien9) January 8, 2021
Coles Toombul 9am pic.twitter.com/oBHhCAk9SU
— Professor Gary Mortimer ???????????? (@ProfRetail) January 8, 2021
Lines still building at supermarkets across Brisbane.
Largely unnecessary .. shopping will be an essential reason for leaving home during lockdown. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/sZlQNsptNe— Adam Hegarty (@ajhegarty9) January 8, 2021
Taking the daughter to dentist this morning at 8:45 when I heard the news about Brisbane lockdown. Thought I’d join the panic shoppers. Took ten minutes to park at Coles Kenmore, it’s full to the back car park. There were no trollies available. At 9:15 started limiting access. pic.twitter.com/nc0lPRmWSH
— ConnectionResetByBeer (@reset_beer) January 8, 2021
After the lockdown announcement was made, and the queues began to form at stores and shopping centres across the city, Queensland Health had to issue a strong reminder to Brisbane residents that panic-buying wasn’t necessary. The lockdown rules state that residents are allowed to leave their homes for grocery shopping – which is an essential need – during the stay-at-home orders.
PSA #Queensland: These is no reason to panic buy. Groceries and essentials will still be available throughout the Greater Brisbane lockdown. We know this is a unique and unusual situation, but we can assure you there is no need to excessively stockpile anything.
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) January 8, 2021
Annastacia Palaszczuk echoed QLD Health, urging everyone to calm the fuck down and just bung a mask on when leaving the house for essentials over the weekend.
There is no need to rush out and panic buy. Groceries and essentials such as medicine will still be available while Greater Brisbane is in lockdown. Make sure you wear a mask and observe social distancing. Thanks everyone.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 8, 2021
As the panic to stock up for the next couple of days ripples through the city (seriously, you do not need to do this) the anxiety of people failing to socially-distance and wear masks while shopping has also set in, giving fears that the lockdown may be extended.
Been out doing necessary stuff in Brisbane and am horrified by the lack of mask wearing. Like they won’t put it on until it’s mandatory
— Adam Garner (@agarner) January 8, 2021
Brisbane: Even though masks aren’t mandatory here til 6pm, if you already have one then please wear it!
Lots of people at supermarket with no mask is a bad idea. Please wear one if you can!
— Lee Constable 🔥 (@Constababble) January 8, 2021
Went to do my normal weekly shop not long after the lockdown announcement for Brisbane and the supermarkets are like moshpits. Queues around the entire perimeter of the shop just for the registers, people not social distancing and hardly anyone wearing a mask.
— Zanna Clair 🐌 (@ZannaClair) January 8, 2021
I’m not sure whether half of Brisbane is planning to spend the next three days with their asses glued to the toilet, but it’s safe to say nobody really needs three months worth of toot roll for a three-day lockdown. We’ve been through this over and over again; there is no need to panic buy.
