Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging Australians to stay calm despite the spread of COVID-19, and on Tuesday consulted with Coles and Woolworths about how the virus was impacting on supply chains and consumer behaviour.

Woolworths said the four-pack limit would shore up stock levels in the face of “higher than usual demand”.

“Woolworths has today moved to apply a quantity limit on toilet paper packs to ensure more customers have access to these products,” the company said in a statement.

“The purchase limit of four packs per customer transaction applies in-store and online.”

Kimberly-Clark, which manufactures toilet paper in Millicent, is opening up their manufacturing lines in South Australia to deal with the shortages.

Everything in moderation… there should be more than enough toilet paper to go around

In statement, the company told InDaily: “Kleenex toilet paper for Australia and NZ is made at our mill in South Australia, and our production lines are working 24/7 to address the increased, short-term demand.”

“We’re also working closely with our customers to replenish supermarket shelves faster,” they said.

SA Treasurer Rob Lucas, who hails from the south-east, said he was “delighted… an SA-based company in the south-east is doing well in meeting the increased demand” but said the message from authorities was: “Everything in moderation.”

“I don’t think people have to be ridiculous in purchases – there should be more than enough toilet paper to go around,” he said.

-InDaily staff with AAP

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