Covid-19: Panic-buying hits Malaysian supermarkets

CORONAVIRUS | Widespread panic-buying has hit many supermarkets as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country saw a sharp increase over the past few days.

Malaysiakini observed long queues at supermarket cashiers as early as noon today – an uncommon scene for a weekday afternoon. Photos and videos of similar scenes have flooded social media platforms.

In some cases, such as at a Giant outlet in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, and at a NSK outlet in Klang, Selangor, the rush for essential supplies have even caused traffic jams surrounding the supermarkets.

“Normally it’s not like this, but now it’s like a weekend. Maybe people are panicking,” said a cashier at a Mydin outlet in Putrajaya, who asked to be identified only as Nur.

Supermarket shelves were emptied of groceries such as bread, milk, rice, eggs, biscuits, meat, canned food, noodles, and many other items.

Supermarket staff were seen trying to keep up by replenishing stock from the storage.

A 40-year-old retail industry worker, who asked to be identified as Lau, told Malaysiakini he was buying essential supplies because Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to make a major announcement tonight.

“Because Muhyiddin will be making an announcing at 9pm, so I’ve come to buy dried food which can last for one week, plus milk (to mix with cornflakes).

“There’s also Milo and biscuits for my 80-year-old aunty so she won’t have to go out of the house.

“We usually buy while stocks last, but I fear if I miss this chance, there will be nothing to buy if there is a lockdown tomorrow,” he said, while queuing up for the cashier at Ben’s Independent Grocer, Publika, Kuala Lumpur.

The number of newly confirmed Covid-19 cases have reached the hundreds since yesterday, with 190 new cases reported yesterday, and another 125 cases today. The tally now stands at 553 cases since the beginning of the outbreak.

When asked repeatedly whether the government will impose a lockdown given the situation, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba told reporters to wait for Muhyiddin’s announcement at 9pm.

Muhyiddin, meanwhile, has urged members of the public to wait for his “big news” tonight after a meeting with all ministries and agencies involved in handling the pandemic.

He is expected to make the televised address at 10pm, not 9pm. - Mkini