Great Southern shoppers met with half-empty shelves as supply issues and panic buying hit supermarkets

Half-empty shelves have started popping up in supermarkets across the region again as supply issues and panic buying hit the State. Supermarkets have been struggling to keep up with demand as WA feels the effects of COVID-19-induced shortages in the Eastern States. Empty boxes and shelves greeted shoppers trying to buy toilet paper at Woolworths Katanning and the IGA Co-Op store in Katanning earlier this week, and popular brands of tissues were also absent. It was not as bad in other retailers across the region. The IGA Co-Op Store in Katanning had a noticeable reduction in the supply of eggs, dairy and cleaning products last week, while the chilled meats section of both Katanning Woolworths and Dumbleyung Foodworks were emptier than normal on Monday. All three retailers appear to be experiencing supply issues with frozen-food products. Despite the issues with other consumables, supplies of fresh produce appear to be mostly unaffected. “COVID absenteeism”, the term used to describe labour shortages caused by workers being forced into isolation, is being blamed for the gaps on supermarket shelves. Woolworths reintroduced two-pack limits on toilet paper and painkillers nationally on January 13 because of supply issues and increased demand. It also introduced a WA-only limit of two packs of mince, sausages and chicken because of what it described as “signs of excessive buying”. Woolworths stores director Jeanette Fenske encouraged shoppers to be mindful of others in the community and to keep shopping in a sensible manner. “We will continue to closely monitor product availability across our stores, with stock continuing to be sent to stores daily,” she said. “Customers will notice some gaps on shelves but we’re doing all that we can to meet demand.” IGA Katanning has also reintroduced product limits, with customers now limited to one pack of toilet paper and one pack of paracetamol or ibuprofen per transaction. A poster inside the store advised customers the changes were being made to ensure everyone in the local community, including the elderly and those with disabilities, had the chance to get what they need. “Rest assured our warehouse is working 24/7 to replenish our stores,” the statement said. In a bid to alleviate the supply issues, National Cabinet has agreed to let close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases in essential industries continue working if they are asymptomatic. But union boss Sally McManus has warned the changes would only put workers in harm‘s way. “We have a monumental workforce crisis with a record level of essential workers sick and unable to work. This has led to an overwhelming of our health systems and a crippling of our supply chains,” the ACTU Secretary said. “Some employers are responding by pressuring COVID-positive people to work, others have not changed safety measures despite the more infectious nature of Omicron, workers are sick, many now without income and there is a serious lack of national leadership. “Too many people are being put in harm’s way and the failure of the Federal Government to secure RATs means we do not have the tools to keep ourselves and the community safe.” Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended the decision, arguing health considerations need to be balanced with other considerations. “We need to keep food on the shelves. We need the trucks to continue to ensure the deliveries. We need the abattoirs to keep working,” he told the ABC. “Indeed, we need water and energy and telecommunications and other essential services to keep going.”