SUPPLIES at local supermarkets are starting to return to normal as the number of new COVID-19 cases across the state continues to remain low.
Grenfell Koch, the owner of Foodland stores in Renmark and Loxton, said he was trying “his absolute darnedest” to meet demands and continue to serve the public.
“We’re desperately trying to source stock that is in demand, including a lot of the sanitising and cleaning lines which are difficult to get a hold of, but we have been able to source quite a bit in recent times,” he said.
“We do get bits of toilet paper in occasionally… and we’ve certainly got the flour and the sugar that was in big demand for a little while.
“We are starting to get back to a little bit of normal supply, but it’s nowhere near where it needs to be.”
Mr Koch said his stores had started to quieten down over recent days.
“We certainly went through a frenzy about two weeks ago, where everybody cleaned out every supermarket shelf,” he said.
“Never before have suppliers experienced that kind of frenzy where everybody started stockpiling, and they are still struggling to catch up a bit, especially with toilet paper.
“They say it could be up to six weeks before we get back to absolute normal.”
Koch’s Foodland in Renmark and Loxton have introduced a range of measures to protect staff and customers against the coronavirus.
“We have hand sanitising units in the shop, social distancing spots on the floor around the place and screens at the checkouts,” Mr Koch said.
“We have a regime where we have to go around the shop at least four times a day and make sure everything is sanitised and cleaned, and we also do that on a more frequent basis with the shopping trolleys and the shopping baskets.
“If customers want us to do any more than that, we’re more than happy to oblige.”
Mr Koch said staff were being protected as much as possible.
“I highly commend my staff for what they are doing and what they have had to put up with from some members of the public,” he said.
“I’m very thankful for what they are doing and what they are putting themselves through.
“We have had a few incidents, but we’re just trying to make sure we keep everyone calm.
“We’ve had a few customers who have overreacted when we’ve told them about limits on certain products, but this had only happened three times, and they weren’t big scenes.”
Mr Koch said he was receiving regular industry updates on hygiene and distancing guidelines.
“We are very much aware, and we’re making sure our staff are aware, of what our requirements are and ensuring we maintain high levels of hygiene,” he said.