Supermarket supply chains are under pressure across the state, as the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus takes its toll on truck drivers, warehouse workers and other logistics and supermarket staff.
Toilet paper, meat and some vegetables are in short supply on supermarket shelves, exacerbated by some panic buying. These shortages haven’t been seen since the first COVID lockdowns of 2020, two years ago.
Government changes to isolation rules have seen some workers classified as ‘essential’, meaning that if they are deemed ‘close contacts’ and are asymptomatic, then they are expected to go to work.
Unions have raised concerns about these changes, calling them “crazy'“ and “dangerous”, because they risk further exposure to the disease to their members. On the other hand, big business is pressuring the government to go even further in relaxing isolation rules. Up to 40% of supermarket workers are currently off work due to COVID.
It is estimated that it could be weeks before shelves are able to be properly restocked.
Part of an ongoing series, COVID-19 Diaries.
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