Coronavirus: Australia running out of toilet paper
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The threat of coronavirus has inspired a wave of panic buying in Australia, resulting in items including loo paper disappearing from shelves across the country. The huge demand for loo paper has seen supermarket supplies dry up in minutes, and in Sydney one chain has implemented a four pack buying limit. “In terms of inducing fear and a psychological toll, pandemics are always right up there with nuclear attacks, chemical, biological and radiological issues and terrorism.” She added: “We’re probably in largely unprecedented territory in Australia, in that we’re just coming out of the tail end of one our worst and most devastating bushfire crises that we have experienced.” The World Health Organisation has said rising demand for medical supplies including gloves and masks, resulting in panic buying, hoarding and misuse, “is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases”.