Supermarkets will receive deliveries 24 hours a day in a bid to restock empty shelves

The state government announced today it had introduced new rules overriding local council restrictions on operating loading docks outside regular business hours in a bid to help supermarkets respond to unprecedented demand.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the aim was to "make sure products can move from factories to shelves as quickly as possible".

"We are moving quickly so truck drivers can make deliveries to supermarkets around the clock," Ms Berejiklian said.

"It is important that people now stop unnecessary panic buying."

The news comes as supermarket supply issues sparked by fears over coronavirus enter their third week.

Supermarket bosses this week joined Prime Minister Scott Morrison in asking shoppers to only purchase what is absolutely necessary until supply can catch up to increased demand.

But getting those necessities has proven difficult, even with new restrictions on many items.

Dozens of shoppers queued outside the Aldi supermarket in Kirrawee yesterday morning, waiting for the doors to open at 9.30am.

There were similar scenes at Aldi stores elsewhere in Sutherland Shire and St George, with a woman estimating there were more than 50 people waiting to enter the Menai Aldi store before the doors opened.

Menai Woolworths has been opening early for seniors since Tuesday. By the time the general public entered the store at 8am on Thursday, supplies of many items were already depleted and police were patrolling the aisles. A shopper said it appeared many of the elderly shoppers were accompanied by adult children, who were also stocking up.

On Monday, Woolworths and Coles both announced a "dedicated shopping hour" from 7am to 8am for the elderly and those with a disability for the remainder of the week, but many came away empty handed, leading the supermarkets to rethink.

On Wednesday Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA took out an ad in a bid to calm the panic around coronavirus.

The ad said the groups were "working together to provide for all Australians".

Aldi announced it would temporarily reduce its trading hours from Wednesday to allow more time for stores to be cleaned and shelves to be restocked.

It also placed restrictions on many essential items for the first time.

The other supermarket chains also added more restrictions this week.

2-pack limit per customer, per shop

1-pack limit per customer, per shop

No limits currently in place in-store:

One pack per person

Two items per person: