After scenes of items running out, fights over basic supplies and crowding of aisles at Australian supermarkets, the first hour of trade at the Majura Park Woolworths on Tuesday was fairly subdued.
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Between 7am and 8am, the elderly and those with a disability made the most of a dedicated hour of shopping, set up by Woolworths stores across the country in the wake of mass panic buying due to coronavirus.
The measures will be in place from Tuesday until Friday.
For Peter Cassidy, the dedicated hour was a chance to stock up on basic supplies.
"It's been a brilliant idea, especially for older people," Mr Cassidy said.
"The last couple of days the shelves have been bare.
"I came only on Monday with my wife and a lot of stuff like rice and noodles were out and even in a lot of other sections too."
Only those with a government-issued seniors card or concession card were allowed entry to the store.
Two staff members were outside the front of the supermarket throughout the hour checking ID.
Many people, including many families, had to be turned away, unaware that they were barred entry until at least 8am.
For many shoppers, toilet paper was the hot ticket item, after shortages were seen in supermarkets around the country in recent days.
However, some items were still not stocked on shelves at the beginning of trade, including pasta and some fresh meat.
Some were seen shopping in masks, in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Canberra resident Kerry Kieret, who is an amputee, said he was making the most of the hour, getting around the aisles in a mobility scooter.
"People have been missing out on supplies and you hear so many horror stories," Mr Kieret said.
"It was really good today, people have been friendly and helpful."
Woolworths managing director Claire Peters said the measures were enacted after many elderly and vulnerable people missed out on supermarket supplies.
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"We continue to encourage all Australians to be mindful of those in our communities who might need extra help at this time," Ms Peters said.
"Now, more than ever, we need to be kind to each other, especially to those most vulnerable."
The supermarket giant announced on Monday they would be shortening opening hours from Wednesday in a bid to allow staff to restock supplies in the wake of panic buying.
Stores will now shut from 8pm until further notice.
Curtin residents Bob and Betty Gibbon said they couldn't understand the frenzied buying that had taken over supermarkets in recent days.
"We only come out here once a fortnight to stock up to get things from here," Mr Gibbon said.
"We're always well stocked ahead of everything anyway," Ms Gibbon said.
"We're old and we don't eat much."
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
