Australians are flocking to supermarkets to buy bulk crap wrap…

In one of the most bizarre twists of the coronavirus saga, Australian shoppers are cleaning out shelves of toilet paper at Woolworths and Coles. Though motives are not 100% clear, it would appear they are attempting to stock up in the event that the virus demands they self-quarantine. UHT milk, rice, flour and noodles shelves have also been heavily raided in a move that ignores the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s advice given in a statement earlier today that encourage people not to panic-buy:

“Just before coming into this press conference earlier today, I spoke to both Coles and Woolworths, just to get an update on their arrangements, and I appreciate their response and the steps they are taking to assure people and their own customers,” the PM said. “It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner. They had spoken to me about the arrangements they have in place around their supply lines and things like this, but I would just urge people to be going about their business in the normal way when it comes to those matters.”

News.com has reported that Solaris Paper, which manufactures toilet paper brands such as Sorbent, said they anticipated “no shortage of supply”, and that health experts have advised people to stock up on sick food staples like vegetable broth or chicken soup, hydrating drinks like Gatorade and crackers – though this is to an extra caution regarding going into areas where you may contract the virus, not to stockpile.

Check out the madness in the tweets below:

So, this is the #toiletpaper aisle at my local #woolies #coronavirus #panicbuying pic.twitter.com/fwFU2OHjny

— Iain Brew (@IainBrewSydney) March 2, 2020

A Woolworths toilet paper aisle in WA. Panic buying at play. pic.twitter.com/NVvvbLywBW

— Lara Hyams (@Lara_Hyams) March 2, 2020

Empty shelves at local Coles. Rice/Pasta/Flour/UHT Milk/Milk Powder/Noodles/Toilet Paper/Paper Towels/OTC Medicines all gone. Many shoppers are stunned at the scenes. #panicbuying #coronavirusaustralia pic.twitter.com/MEzFevrf29

— David Cao (@DavidCaoEV) March 2, 2020