Supermarkets reintroduce buying restrictions after resurgence on panic buying hits Melbourne

Victoria's announcement to reintroduce stage three coronavirus restrictions has seen a resurgence of panic buying.

There were long queues at supermarkets last night and shelves were stripped, prompting Coles to reintroduce buying restrictions just a day after it removed them.

The restrictions will only be applied to affected regions in Victoria and there will be two item per limit on essential items with just one packet of toilet paper per customer.

"Coles is implementing temporary purchase limits for some staple items following the Victorian Government's announcement of a return to Stage Three "Stay at Home" restrictions for people living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire," the supermarket said online.

The buying frenzy began almost immediately following  Premier Dan Andrews' announcement stay-at-home measures would be enforced for metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.

One user on Twitter said they were met with queues when going to the supermarket yesterday afternoon.

"Please don't panic buy. Just tried to go to the supermarket and there was a queue round the corner. Yikes," user Caitlin Woods tweeted.

Another posted images of a queue of shoppers waiting outside a Melbourne Coles.

Others have shared images of bare shelves stripped of essential products.

Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will enter stage three restrictions from 11.59pm tonight.

Under those restrictions, residents will have just four reasons why they can leave their home: to shop for essential goods and services such as food, to give and receive care, to work or study, and to get daily exercise.

The restrictions will remain in place for six weeks.