Virus rumours spark panic buying of toilet paper, dried goods

Long lines snaked outside supermarkets in Hong Kong as shoppers bulk-purchased products over fears of a supply shortage amid the deadly virus outbreak.

A queue of anxious shoppers were seen waiting for a grocery store in Kwun Tong district to open on Friday morning.

Inside the shop, products such as tissues went quickly out of stock, and other items including toilet paper, sanitiser and rice were popular among buyers.

Certain items were rationed to two units per customers.

In recent days, residents have been buying large amounts of products because they fear that border restrictions, which were enforced to control the coronavirus outbreak, may affect supply flows into Hong Kong.

Officials in the territory have denied there's any prospect of shortages.