NATIONAL NEWS - Government is in talks with the retail sector to ensure there is sufficient supply of essential goods such as food and medical supplies.
This is according to a statement issued today, 23 March.
The statement urges everyone in the country to avoid panic buying:
• We are aware that many South Africans are worried about the impact of the coronavirus on essential supplies and food in the country.
• As government, we are doing everything we can to ensure that we have enough food and all essentials we need.
• It is not advisable to buy more than what you need of basics such as food, toilet paper packs and many other essentials.
• Let us be considerate and responsible to ensure that we have enough for everyone especially the most vulnerable in our society.
Support measures are being introduced to counter food or medical supply shortages.
• Government is in talks with the retail sector to ensure there is sufficient supply of essential goods such as food and medical supplies.
• Our country has strong domestic industrial capacity to supply the basic consumer goods for everyone.
• We are also working to identify alternative suppliers for disinfectants, medical supplies, surgical masks, hospital beds and prefab-style buildings for emergency medical sites.
• There are plans to fast-track financial support to firms to increase production of medical supplies, bed linen, hospital beds, pre-fab buildings, and cleaning products required to combat the virus.
Together we can ensure that there is enough food and all essentials for everyone.
• Buying more than what you need has the potential to put unnecessary pressure on the retail sector and cause panic around the country.
• We call on all everyone in the country to be calm and continue with their lives as normal.
• This will help to ensure that businesses continue to supply the goods and essentials we need.
• Government and its partners will continue to work around the clock and ensure that there is no disruption to supplies.
Let us all be vigilant of scams related to the coronavirus.
• Government is taking steps to prevent illegal and unsafe products from being sold to consumers.
• This includes prioritising the investigation and prosecution of fraud related to the coronavirus in the country.
• We are also closely monitoring food prices and we call on the business community to act responsibly and not charge inflated prices.
• Retailers who take advantage of the current circumstances and inflate their prices unreasonably can be reported to the Competition Commission via Shadrack Rambau at Shadrackr@compcom.co.za.
• We also call on community members to report those who sell counterfeit goods such as face masks or medicine so that they can be held accountable.
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