Following the lead of supermarkets and bottle stores across the country, hardware chain Bunnings has now put buying limits in place.

The move comes as panic buyers clear shelves of household essentials that are currently restricted at Coles and Woolworths.

Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider told the Today show, that the new measures were designed to ensure no one misses out.

“As the uncertainty continues we want to make sure we can reassure customers that if you come to Bunnings you can get the products you are looking for,” Mr Schneider said. “And you can get the things done at home you need to.”

Starting from today (Thursday, March 26), shoppers will be restricted to a maximum of four cleaning and storage products, garden sprayers and batteries per person.

With some people now preparing for the worst, Bunnings has also had to cap generators, gas bottles, respirators, face masks, fuel cans, methylated spirits and turpentine, to one per customer.

Mr Schneider reassured shoppers that most Bunnings items were still available.

“We’re seeing increased demand for some products and we want to be as fair as possible for customers.”

Related news: Is Bunnings the new Woolies? Shoppers descend on hardware stores for DIY supplies

Panic planting: Shoppers strip shelves of seedlings at Bunnings