The fear of a coronavirus outbreak in Maitland has seen some supermarket shelves empty and seniors stockpiling their medications.
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But health authorities, and the two major supermarkets, are urging the city to remain calm and reassuring residents that there is no need to panic.
Woolworths at Stockland Greenhills had sold out of toilet paper and other antibacterial products after an onslaught of shoppers arrived to stock up.
Coles supermarket, in the same building, faced a similar spike of trolleys brimming with staple items.
It wasn't like that all across the city though. It was mainly business as usual at the central Maitland Woolworths and ALDI stores with only low stock levels in a couple of product lines.
Morpeth Pharmacy, on the other hand, has been inundated with requests to fill several prescriptions at once, based on the fear that there will be a limited supply in the future.
"I've never seen anything like it in 20 years," Morpeth Pharmacy owner Michael White said.
One customer spent more than $400 on prescription drugs - to stockpile a year's supply, and has bought enough food to last 12 months. Face masks and antibacterial hand sanitisers are also in high demand.
"Every time you turn on the TV you are bombarded with coronavirus, and so people lose their rationality," Mr White said.
"There are people who are absolutely petrified of it.
"They are stocking up on their medications, they're asking for masks and hand sanitiser. People tell me they can't buy toilet paper in some supermarkets.
"The fatality rate is a lot more severe in elderly people and there are a lot of elderly people who live in this area and that has contributed to this."
There have not been any cases of coronavirus in the Hunter region since news of the virus broke earlier this year. There have been 34 cases in the country and 21 of those have made a full recovery. There has been one death - an elderly man who had been holidaying on a cruise ship.
Mayor of Maitland, Cr Loretta Baker, said panic buying was unnecessary.
"We all have a responsibility to be calm," she said.
"There is no need for panic buying and buying out the supermarkets, it is irresponsible. The health minister is saying there is no need to panic and he has all of the latest information."
Health authorities have not briefed Maitland council about coronavirus due to the lack of cases in the region.
The council has been told it will be given advice if an outbreak scenario eventuates.
"We're not panicking, but we are certainly watching what is happening," Ms Baker said.
Woolworths and Coles have large volumes of stock in warehouses that will flow into stores and have confirmed product shortages will only be short-term.
Both have increased the number of deliveries to stores this week and asked customers to be patient.
"Coles has increased the number of deliveries to stores this week to improve availability on popular products, such as long-life pantry staples and healthcare items and our teams are working hard to fill the shelves as quickly as possible," the spokeswoman said.
"We currently have a shortage of some antibacterial handwashes and hand sanitiser products due to high customer demand. We are continuing to work with our suppliers to maintain availability for customers."
"We've seen a sharp increase in demand for long life pantry items and household staples in recent days, which has led to partial stock shortages across some of our stores," a Woolworths spokesman said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison contacted the supermarket chains this week about the steps being taken to reassure customers.
Panic buying has been seen in Sydney and other capital cities in the past few days.
Mr Morrison said Australia was as prepared as it could be and had activated an emergency response plan.
He noted the government was putting out trusted advice and urged people not to panic.
"When it comes to people going about their daily business, I would encourage them to do just that," Mr Morrison said.
Mr White said a medication shortage could happen much later this year if factories in China - which manufacture powders used in a lot of medicines, shut down.
For more information ring the coronavirus helpline: 1800020080
Belinda-Jane Davis
Passionate about community news
Passionate about community news
