Woolworths reimposes buying limits

SUPERMARKET chain Woolworths has moved to reimpose purchasing limits on many items.

The move came on the same day Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victoria was being placed under a state of disaster order.

The new caps on the number of items you can buy in a single shop at Woolworths were aimed at preventing a repeat of panic buying seen during the early stages of the first COVID-19 wave.

“We understand this is an anxious time for our Victorian customers, but we encourage everyone to continue shopping as they usually would and only buy what they need,” said Claire Peters, Woolworths Supermarkets managing director.

“Stock will continue to flow from our distribution centres and as an essential service, Woolworths supermarkets remain open to support customers’ food and grocery needs.”

New limits of no more than two packets of toilet paper, paper towel, baby wipes, tissues, anti-bacterial wipes, liquid hand wash, disinfectant, bleach, cleaners, disposable gloves and sponges and scourers.

In the food aisles rice, pasta, flour, sugar, UHT milks, cooking oil, pasta sauce, white vinegar, packet side dishes (e.g. pasta and sauce), Indian foods, Mexican dinner kits, salsa, baked beans and spaghetti, as well as tinned tomatoes, tinned vegetables, and tinned legumes along with frozen products like vegetables, potato, fruit, fish, and poultry have also been capped at a two item limit.

Also limited to two packs per shop are fresh foods like milk, juice, pre-packed bacon, eggs, mince, sausages, burgers, rissoles and meatballs and bread as well as and prepacked carrots, potatoes and onions.

There’s also limits on packs of pork, lamb, beef and chicken, all capped at two packs.

Meat from the butcher is limited to one-kilogram, as are small goods and poultry from the deli.

Lastly there’s now a two-kilogram limit on loose carrots, onions and potatoes.

A one pack per customer limit on face masks continues to apply.

“We ask that our customers continue to adhere to our social distancing and hygiene measures while in store and continue to treat our team and each other with respect while shopping,” Ms Peters said.