Woolworths has announced it will begin shutting its stores at 8pm nationwide, as opposed to 10pm, to allow staff to restock bare shelves.

The new opening hours will commence on Wednesday, March 18 and will stay in place for the foreseeable future. The change follows a week of intense panic buying, which saw stores deplete seven weeks of toilet paper every single day.

Quantity restrictions will remain in place for in-demand items like toilet paper, rice and pasta at Woolworths. Meanwhile, at Coles, toilet paper is currently limited to one pack per person, while pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitiser and mince are capped at two.

Woolworths has also suspended its click-and-collect pick-up service and is warning lengthy delays for online delivery.

In good news, Woolworths will reserve the first hour of trading for the elderly and vulnerable to do their shopping before doors are opened to the general public. Those with a relevant concession card will be able to access the store from 7am – 8am. The new initiative will start tomorrow and run until Friday, March 20.