It would appear the toilet paper frenzy is on again. With statewide restrictions now in place in efforts to contain the Sydney outbreak, Woollies and Coles have placed a limit on toilet paper purchase to 2 packs per customer per store.

In this photo shared on social media taken at Coles Goonellabah at 830 yesterday morning, it seems the limit was set too late as some honourable citizens resorted to panic buying precious toilet tissue as soon as the new NSW restrictions came into place Saturday evening.

In a press conference on Saturday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian assured those in lockdown in Greater Sydney that there was " no need to panic buy”.

She urged people to be “thoughtful and considerate” about their fellow citizens, emphasising that there was no reason at all to rush out and stock up.

Coles has updated their Covid Safe information online and they also assure customers that supply is strong and they encourage customers to stay calm, shop normally and be respectful to their hard-working team members.

Coles says they have plenty of stock in their supply chain, and this temporary measure of two packets of toilet paper per customer will help to manage demand so that they can return stores to a fully-stocked position as quickly as possible.

While management at our Woollies downtown were unable to comment directly, Brad Banducci, CEO of the Woolworths Group says "It seems the almost primordial urge to pantry stock toilet paper is still symbolic of these times".

In his updated message today on the Woolworths website, Banducci adds

"We have plenty of stock of most essential items, with more continuing to flow through from our distribution centres. Frustratingly, we currently have a 2-pack per shop limit on toilet paper after we’ve seen surge buying leading to some shortages in store and online."

Banducci concludes "We know the impact that COVID, including these latest restrictions, is having on our collective mental health. It is more important than ever to look out for ourselves and each other."

To check the latest restrictions in regional NSW visit

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/what-you-can-do-nsw