It was only a matter of time, but now stores across Melbourne have introduced purchase limits for face masks as people continue to snap them up quicker than ever. It’s the toilet paper Armageddon all over again – only this time, it’s not irrational.
The Herald Sun reports that Bunnings has put a limit of 50 masks per customer, while Aldi has a limit of two packs per person, and Woolies is only allowing customers to buy one pack each.
A spokesperson for Aldi told the newspaper it introduced the limit to ensure “a fair distribution of product”, while a Coles spokesperson told AAP it too would put in place purchase limits in certain areas.
Meanwhile Priceline told the Herald Sun it had experienced a “30-fold increase” in mask sales over the weekend. That’s similar to Chemist Warehouse, which apparently sold over 1.5 million masks during the same period.
Under the new restrictions, people will still be able to buy a decent amount of disposable masks, but hoarders will be prevented from buying up all the stock.
There are a few more days to stock up on masks before they become mandatory in public on Thursday, so there’s still time to shop around.
An alternative to hoarding disposable masks is buying reusable fabric ones or making your own.
Now you can’t say you weren’t warned come Thursday.
