The new casualties of COVID-19 panic buying: Today Extra’s Belinda Russell reveals her local supermarket has been stripped of fresh fruit and cereal – after testing negative for coronavirus
Today Extra host Belinda Russell was shocked to discover on Tuesday that her local supermarket had been stripped bare of fresh fruit and cereal.
The Sydney-based journalist shared videos to Instagram of empty shelves, as panic buying continues to run rampant across Australia.
The mother-of-three came out of self-isolation on Monday after testing negative to coronavirus. She had been sent home as a precaution after coming into contact last week with singer Rita Wilson, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 12.
Scroll down for video
‘First toilet paper, now this’: Today Extra host Belinda Russell was shocked to discover on Tuesday that her local supermarket had been stripped bare of fresh fruit and cereal
‘First toilet paper and now this… Cereal killer,’ Belinda captioned footage of herself trying to find cereal.
She then uploaded another clip showing the lack of fruit on sale.
Coronavirus cases in Australia surged to 455 on Tuesday – almost doubling in just two days – sparking fears tens of thousands could be infected within weeks.
As shelves continue to be stripped bare by panic buyers, fights and unruly behaviour in supermarkets have become commonplace across the country.
Gone! The Sydney-based journalist shared videos to Instagram of empty shelves, as panic buying continues to run rampant across Australia
Panic buying: She uploaded footage showing the lack of fruit on sale
Coles and Woolworths have introduced buying limits for basic food items, including pasta, rice, mince, flour and hand sanitiser.
It was announced on Tuesday that Belinda and her Today Extra colleague David Campbell had tested negative for COVID-19.
The presenters had spent four days in self-isolation after learning that Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks had been diagnosed with the virus on Thursday.
Rita had appeared as a guest on Today Extra three days earlier, on March 9. It’s believed Tom was also present on set at Nine’s Willoughby studios.
In the clear: It was announced on Tuesday that Belinda and her Today Extra colleague David Campbell (left) had tested negative for COVID-19
‘A lot of it for us is tension relief. Because we had contact with Rita Wilson, who tested positive for coronavirus,’ David told viewers on Tuesday.
‘It was a long four days at home while we waited for those results but we’re both not detected.’
Belinda added: ‘We were pretty confident because we were told that we were a casual contact not a close contact because we didn’t have any more than 15 minutes with her – but you never know.’
Quarantine: They had spent four days in self-isolation after learning that Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks had been diagnosed with the virus on Thursday. Rita (centre) had appeared as a guest on Today Extra three days earlier, on March 9