Interstate lockdown battle erupts over Bunnings as furious Victorians demand to know why they can only order online and collect while Sydneysiders can still visit stores despite new laws shutting down all non-essential retail
Victorians have taken to social media to voice their fury at the New South Wales government for still allowing customers to shop inside Bunnings stores while Melbourne residents can only click and collect.
On Saturday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced stricter lockdown measures as she zeroed in on containing the state's increasing daily Covid cases after the number grew to 111.
From 11.59pm Saturday the tougher restrictions required all non-essential retail premises to close and offer click and collect or takeaway only.
Some of the essential retailers allowed to remain open in NSW included; pharmacies, supermarkets, hardware stores and office supplies.
The announcement came just days after Victoria entered a snap five day lockdown, sending Twitter users into a frenzy over the differing lockdown rules.
'Melbourne peeps correct me if I'm wrong, but during our second lockdown I'm certain Bunnings, Officeworks etc were all click and collect,' one person tweeted.
'Apparently they are essential in Sydney and can stay open,' sharing an image of the tougher NSW lockdown restrictions alongside the tweet.
Victorians have taken to social media to voice their fury the NSW government still allows customers to shop inside Bunnings stores while Melbourne residents can only click and collect
A Twitter user has highlighted two differing lock down rules which consider Bunnings and Officeworks an essential service in NSW but not VIC
Victorians are furious over customers being allowed to shop at Bunnings and Officeworks
'What the hell are you talking about? Officeworks and Bunnings are still open!' a user posted in disbelief.
'So Bunnings stays open, but construction activity is banned. How is Bunnings essential retail then? What a joke the NSW govt are, they're not interested in suppression.'
Another user pointed out the hypocrisy in keeping Bunnings open after claiming 19 positive Covid cases had visited the hardware store in Sydney, tweeting:
'There have been 19 instances where a positive Covid case has visited a Bunnings store in Greater Sydney. With a restriction now on tradies there is no reason they can't be click and collect only. Melbourne has done this why can't we?'
'The last place I'd go is Bunnings these days!' claimed one Twitter user.
NSW lockdown restrictions are dividing NSW and Victorian shoppers
The differing NSW restrictions had many questioning what is considered essential retail
Another user pointed out the hypocrisy in keeping Bunnings open after claiming 19 positive Covid cases had visited the hardware store in Sydney
This comes as Sydney's numbers grew to a staggering 111 cases recorded on Saturday as the city came to the end of its third week in lockdown.
From Saturday most retail will be forced to shut to reduce opportunities for people to interact as they go shopping.
Only essential retail such as supermarkets and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open from 11.59pm on Saturday.
Businesses considered essential include banks, petrol stations, fruit shops, liquor stores, hardware stores, and office and pet supplies.
These include stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies.
On Thursday night Melbourne entered a snap five day lockdown as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he had no other choice than 'to go hard and go fast' after the number of exposure sites linked to the state's surging cluster reached 75.
It will be the state's fifth lockdown in 16 months, with millions given only five reasons to leave home.
Victorians can only leave home for essential items, to seek medical care, exercise for up to two hours within 5km of where they live, to get vaccinated or for work and education that cannot be done at home.