Store free of shopper restrictions

Dionne Klem, Catherine Robinson, Emma Ryan And Salle Moore  TBW Newsgroup
BACK TO NORMAL: Penola IGA staff members Dionne Klem, Catherine Robinson, Emma Ryan and Salle Moore enjoy getting back to normal following a busy period due to household deliveries.

Dionne Klem, Catherine Robinson, Emma Ryan And Salle Moore TBW Newsgroup
BACK TO NORMAL: Penola IGA staff members Dionne Klem, Catherine Robinson, Emma Ryan and Salle Moore enjoy getting back to normal following a busy period due to household deliveries.

RESTRICTIONS on staple groceries will not be implemented at Penola IGA despite evidence of further panic buying across the border.

As Victoria experiences a second wave of COVID-19, restrictions have again been implemented on products including rice, pasta and toilet paper.

South Australians experienced similar restrictions in March as fears grew the state was heading into lockdown.

Penola IGA Supermarket owner Shane McPherson said there was currently no evidence of panic buying among the community and no plans to reinstate restrictions.

He said despite supply issues earlier this year, stocks were almost completely replenished, except for a small selection of canned vegetables.

“Those who were in lockdown are now out and about again and are coming into the store,” Mr McPherson said.

“We are pretty much back to normal, people are still mindful of social distancing and we are still doing our extra cleaning routine.

“Getting the products is getting better all the time.

“The community response during these times has been amazing and we have found that people are just happy to get out of the house and are showing appreciation for what the retail sector has been and are still continuing to do.”

Mr McPherson said staff had been busier than usual during the past three months as social distancing and isolation drove demand for deliveries.

“It is a relief to not have to put restrictions on products again and makes our job a lot better when we do not have to worry about it,” he said.

“We have just been doing what we can to keep a bit of normality for the customers.”