'Chaotic' crowds descend on Dan Murphy's bottle shops as borders shut
It started with toilet paper, but it now seems Australians are panic buying alcohol.
After Victoria and NSW officials announced on Sunday a shutdown of non-essential services, Australians have been left pondering what exactly that means for their daily routine.
“Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery will be among the many services that will remain open,” a statement from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday.
Although states and territories are said to be working on more specific details during meetings over the next two days, it seems Aussies are worried about not being able to access their local bottle shop.
Live blog: Latest coronavirus news and updates
So... Dan Murphy's counts as one of the 'essential stores' right? Asking for me.
— Damo Hatcher (@thepingmachine) March 22, 2020
Photo from a friend bayside: the panic buyers are hitting Dan Murphy’s 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/1wMsT1kPmi
— Emily Benammar (@EmilyBenammar) March 22, 2020
On Twitter, people were pictured flocking into Dan Murphy’s stores across the country just hours after the announcement.
“Is Dan Murphy’s considered essential? Asking for a friend,” one woman tweeted.
“Panic buying at Dan Murphy’s is the most Australian contagion reaction ever,” one man tweeted.
Another man said the entire car park at his Dan Murphy’s was full, while another shopper described the scene as “chaos”.
#danmurphysrun #Shutdown #coronavirus Madness at Dan Murphy’s. pic.twitter.com/Mv7SDHLhlc
— Tim Stoney (@timstoney) March 22, 2020
Chaos at Dan Murphy’s on the northern beaches , goodbye toilet roll hello booze #Covid_19australia pic.twitter.com/DglM9DLMdw
— Brown Paper Bag (@PaperBundle) March 22, 2020
“Someone just put through a $1200 shop,” another man tweeted.
It’s not clear if Dan Murphy’s or any bottle shops will remain open during the statewide shutdowns.
What will stay open?
Supermarkets
Petrol stations
Pharmacies
Convenience stores
Freight and logistics
Home delivery
Banks
Booze build up follows paper panic
Coles and Woolworths have been forced to place limits on purchases after ongoing hoarding and panic buying of toilet paper.
Coles announced it would be restricting customers to one pack of toilet paper per transaction while Woolworths said it was allowing two.
Some stores have marked up their prices on toilet paper with a grocery store in Melbourne reportedly charging $54. Shoppers have also been filmed fighting over packs of toilet paper.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
