Hong Kong third wave: supermarkets to restrict sale of essential items to check panic buying amid surge in Covid-19 infections
- Wellcome and ParknShop say a temporary restriction will be imposed on the sale of essential items such as rice, toilet paper
- But some city residents say they are not too worried about a supply shortage
Two major Hong Kong supermarket chains have imposed a quota on essential goods such as rice and toilet paper following a surge in demand amid the third wave of Covid-19 infections, though some customers said they were not too worried about another round of panic buying.
Wellcome and ParknShop, each having more than 250 outlets across the city, said a temporary restriction would be imposed on the sale of the essential goods in their branches, with each customer being allowed to buy only two items from a list of products.
The move came after photos circulating online this week claimed items such as rice and instant noodles had been emptied at some of the city’s supermarkets, especially near areas such as Tsz Wan Shan where new infection cases were reported.
A ParknShop spokesman told the Post the shop had noticed a recent “surge in demand for certain products” and would limit the purchase of at least 10 items – including rice, eggs, toilet tissue, bleach, hand wash and disinfectant materials.
He added: “The limited purchase arrangement will be correspondingly adjusted in response to market conditions and customer needs in a timely manner. We will also closely contact suppliers and increase the quantity of products accordingly.”
