Greater Brisbane received the shock news they would be forced to undergo a strict three-day lockdown from 6pm tonight (January 8).
Despite seeing this for the past year, residents have begun panic buying supplies from their local supermarkets with the wild scenes being documented on social media.
Shoppers were once again spotted in a mad rush to stock up on necessities - particularly toilet paper.
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Locals documented the crazy scenes, with one user posting a video to Twitter of the lengthy line to enter Coles Toombul, which she said 'almost stretched the entire centre'.
Another photo posted to Twitter showed empty shelves where rows of toilet paper had previously been.
Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young has since urged Brisbane residents not to dissolve into panic buying items.
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"There will be no need to buy up big. If you've got enough for the next three days, stay home and wait to do your shopping until next week," she said.
"There is absolutely no issue, all our shops are fully stocked, there will be nothing stopping that from happening," Dr Young said.
The lockdown comes as an 'incredibly contagious' mutant strain of Covid-19 from the UK found its way to Brisbane after a cleaner in a quarantine hotel contracted the strain and was unknowingly infectious in the community for five days.
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"This can spread very rapidly if it gets hold. My hope is that it hasn't taken hold," Dr Young said of the UK strain that is reportedly 70 per cent more infectious than previous strains.
The strict lockdown kicks off across greater Brisbane on Friday at 6 pm and will last until Monday at 6 pm, and masks have been made mandatory outside the home.
Under the lockdown, residents of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan, Redlands and Ipswich City Council areas will only be allowed to leave their homes for four reasons:
- to attend work if they can't work from home
- to buy essentials including groceries and medicine
- to look after the vulnerable
- to exercise within their neighbourhood
According to qld.gov.au, all essential businesses will remain open, but residents should only leave Greater Brisbane for essential purposes, such as to work, to return home or to access healthcare.
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Cafes, pubs and restaurants will be open only for takeaway and delivery services, while funerals will be restricted to 20 people and weddings to 10, including the celebrant and two witnesses.
Featured Image Credit: TwitterTopics: brisbane, Australia, Covid-19
