IGA Broadford supermarket will now check IDs of every shopper as coronavirus panic-buying worsens

A supermarket in country Australia will now check IDs of every shopper to prove they are locals in a desperate attempt to crack down on panic buyers amid coronavirus pandemic.

IGA Broadford in regional Victoria has impose the strict measures after customers strip its shelves bare by stockpiling and hoarding essential items in fear of a lockdown.

The sign has been placed at the entrance of the stores and staff members will check customers’ IDs before allowing them through the door. 

‘Dear customers from this point on we have no other choice but to enforce very strict conditions for entry into our store,’ the sign said.

‘You will now be asked for ID to prove that you live in the areas.’

The areas include: Reedy Creek, Strath Creek, Sunday Creek, Tyaak, Pylong, Glenoroua, Sugarloaf Creek, Clonbinana and Waterford Park.  

‘We apologise for any inconvenience due to the current situation, we can only accommodate customers living in these areas. Thank you for understanding.’ 

Shoppers who live around the area praised the supermarket for taking drastic action to deal with the unprecedented demand for groceries.

Many reported seeing hundreds of random customers from outer town descend on the supermarket stores after travelling via a bus. 

‘Such a great idea, followed a bus up the highway today on my way to work and saw a whole bus load of people get off to go to Woolworths and Coles, ridiculous,’ one woman said.

A photo of an elderly man staring at an empty shelf of bread at IGA offers a tragic insight into the impact coronavirus panic-buying is having on older Australians

A second woman said: ‘Good on you IGA Broadford, I applaud your actions. I was in this supermarket today just getting what I needed for home as normal and there was so many strangers from out of town just stocking up, leaving the shelves empty.

‘I felt so sorry for all the staff it was just embarrassing to be there. At the moment I am sad to say I am an Australian. Come on Australia, we are so much better than this just calm your farms. Hopefully this action will stop some of the madness that we are all dealing with at the moment. All supermarkets should do the same.’

One man said: ‘Good on them for taking the initiative. There was recently a bus load at Finley IGA and also Deniliquin IGA but police escorted the bus out of town.’

The new strict condition comes after a heartbreaking picture of an elderly many staring at an empty shelf of bread at IGA emerged on social media.

Sydney DJ Helena Ellis shared the photo with her followers on Monday as she urged people to consider the elderly before they stockpile.

While visiting a south Hurstville IGA in Sydney’s south, Ms Ellis came across the man who standing with an ’empty trolley staring at empty shelves’. 

‘My heart broke. I had gotten the last two hot dog bun packs and gave him one out of my trolley, I said “At least it’s still bread” and he laughed and thanked me. I felt that was the least I could have done for him,’ she said.

‘If you see an old person, please stop and ask if they need anything. Stop and give them something from your trolley that is no longer on the shelves that you could easily come back and get tomorrow. 

‘Who knows where they came from or how long it took them to get to the shops, only to get there and find empty shelves. In a time of complete and utter maddens and chaos, please don’t forget to look out for each other and look out for those who need it most. Don’t be consumed by greed.’