Panic buying is seeing food supplies in Lismore run out by the end of the day with many shelves empty.

These photos were taken at Coles and Woolworths Goonellabah and Aldi Lismore yesterday.

(photo Mark Bailey)

The Northern Rivers has three confirmed cases of Coronavirus which, according to Northern NSW Health, was contracted from overseas travel and not from local community transmission.

Is it Crowd Psychology at work again? Where people act out an irrational fear after watching and hearing other people act a certain way. Or is it a result of legitimate stockpiling of basic food items in the family home in case Coronavirus causes a food shortage? Only time will tell.

To try and ease the food shortage Lismore City Council has removed all restrictions, delivery curfews and planning constraints on supermarket loading bays to help them meet current demand in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The move is consistent with current government advice.

“We are trying to proactively respond to the current surge in demand, which is expected to last at least several weeks,” Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said.

“This will assist with restocking shelves more quickly and increase the public’s confidence. This is an unprecedented health event and we need to work together as a community during these challenging times.”

The real solution lies in all of us, do not panic buy. Shop normally and there will be enough food and basic items for everyone.