Supermarket lockdown: Strict limits on canned food, milk and chicken introduced AGAIN at Coles after workers at Victorian distribution centre test positive for coronavirus

  • Coles puts limits on cold and frozen products, canned goods and pasta sauces
  • Two pack restrictions apply to stores in Victoria, Tasmania and on NSW border 
  • Follows coronavirus outbreak at Coles chilled distribution centre in Melbourne
  • Temporary restrictions until chilled distribution centre returns to full operation
Coles has been forced to reinforce product limits on additional grocery items following a coronavirus outbreak at its chilled distribution centre in Melbourne.
The supermarket giant has implemented two pack restrictions on many chilled and frozen items, pasta sauces and canned goods in Victoria and Tasmania, along with New South Wales stores in Lavington, Albury and Deniliquin.
Affected items include fresh milk, butter, cheese, margarine, chicken thighs and breasts, prepacked carrots and potatoes, and frozen fruit and vegetables until Coles chilled distribution centre in Laverton returns to full operation capacity.
A 'significant portion' of the centre's workforce are self-isolating at home after a number of employees tested positive to coronavirus last week.
A two item limit on fresh milk has been introduced in Coles across Victoria and Tasmania
A two item limit on fresh milk has been introduced in Coles across Victoria and Tasmania
There are also temporary two pack limits on canned vegetables, fruit, meat, baked beans and spaghetti, along with pasta sauce after increased demand as Victoria battles a second wave of new infections.
'Our team is working hard with our suppliers to replenish our stores as soon as possible, and we apologise to customers of our Victorian and NSW border stores who may find some chilled and fresh produce lines are temporarily out of stock,' a Coles statement read.
'To help us provide a safe shopping experience for all, we ask that customers continue to treat our team members with respect, buy only what they need, continue observing social distancing in stores, make use of the sanitising stations at the entrance, and plan their visit so they can be 'speedy shoppers'.'
Coles has also re-routed stock to other distribution centres in other states, established pop-up distribution centres in Victoria and working with suppliers to deliver products directly to stores. 

Additional limits have been introduced on essentials such as canned good and pasta sauce
Additional limits have been introduced on essentials such as canned good and pasta sauce
A number of employees at Coles' chilled distribution centre in Laverton, Melbourne (pictured) recently tested positive to coronavirus
A number of employees at Coles' chilled distribution centre in Laverton, Melbourne (pictured) recently tested positive to coronavirus
The latest restrictions in Tasmania, Victoria and on the NSW border are in addition to nationwide one pack limits on toilet paper and paper towel re-introduced last week.
Two-pack limits on eggs, pasta, rice, longlife milk, mince, flour, sugar and hand sanitiser were also implemented in stores across Victoria and on the NSW border.
Coles is working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to have all staff at its distribution centre at Laverton tested for COVID.
The facility has been deep cleaned daily over the past week.
'The Victorian Government is working with Coles to ensure the distribution centre can remain open and keep food on shelves, and has confirmed all necessary precautions and steps have been taken by Coles to ensure the site has been appropriately cleaned and that relevant measures are in place regarding testing and isolation of team members,' the supermarket added.
The new product limits are in addition to reintroduced nationwide restrictions on toilet paper. Pictured is an empty aisle at a Coles in Melbourne on June 23
The new product limits are in addition to reintroduced nationwide restrictions on toilet paper. Pictured is an empty aisle at a Coles in Melbourne on June 23

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