Nghe An people stay calm and do not rush to shop when there are positive cases in the community.

The demand for essential goods increased

Immediately after the social distancing order was issued, people in Hoang Mai town proactively bought essential goods. There were many buyers, the amount of goods sold increased 3-4 times compared to before. Photo: Thanh Phuc

On the night of May 6, after an urgent meeting of the Provincial People's Committee withHoang Mai town, The Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has directed localities to implement social distancing according to Directive 15 of the Government; the implementation period starts from May 7. Therefore, on the night of May 6, many people in Quynh Lap commune and neighboring communes rushed to grocery stores to buy food and foodstuffs such as instant noodles, cooking oil, fish sauce; toilet paper... for daily activities.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - a resident of Quynh Thien ward (Hoang Mai town) said: "We live not far from the epidemic area so we are also worried. My family has 5 people so the need for food and groceries is quite high, so I bought more fish, meat, and instant noodles to store for later consumption during the epidemic season."

During this pandemic, people only buy enough for 2-3 days and do not stock up as much as before. Currently, prices of goods in Hoang Mai are stable. Photo: Thanh Phuc

On the morning of May 7, at traditional markets and grocery stores in Hoang Mai town, the number of people buying essential goods increased, mainly rice, instant noodles, cooking oil, fish sauce and toilet paper. Demand increased compared to before, but only a few foods increased in price slightly, there was no shortage of goods or price fever, currently the stalls and kiosks still have enough supply for people.

In the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, the department has directed communes, wards, and market management boards to propagate to traders to ensure a full range of essential goods to serve people's shopping needs, while ensuring epidemic prevention measures. Traders are required not to raise the prices of essential goods... In addition, it is necessary to propagate to people to only buy enough for their needs, not to rush to hoard, and limit large gatherings.

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thuy - Head of Economic - Infrastructure Department of Hoang Mai town

The most popular items bought by Vinh city residents are instant noodles, instant pho, and instant vermicelli. Although demand has increased, according to the dealers, prices are stable and have not changed. Photo: Thanh Phuc

InVinh CityOn the morning of May 7, the number of people going to the market and supermarket to buy essential goods increased slightly compared to before. Mr. Van Quyen, owner of a grocery store on Le Viet Thuat Street, said: "In the morning, the store sold about 100 boxes of instant noodles, pho, and vermicelli of all kinds. If before, people usually bought 5-10 packages, now they buy the whole box. Compared to normal days, the price is stable, nothing has changed. Currently, our warehouse has about 1,000 boxes of instant noodles, pho, and vermicelli of all kinds and we continue to import them, so there is no shortage."

At supermarkets and convenience stores in the city, the number of customers increased slightly, not suddenly like in previous epidemics.

No worries about goods, price fever

Dealers prepare goods and plan to serve people when the epidemic becomes complicated, ensuring there is no shortage of essential goods. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to the affirmation of large goods suppliers and enterprises in Vinh City, the supply of essential goods for daily life is currently abundant, prices are stable, and people should not be too worried.

At the supermarket, the amount of goods is abundant. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Tran An Khang, representativesupermarketA large supermarket on Tran Phu Street, Vinh City said: "Currently, the source of goods such as instant noodles, pho packages of all kinds, cooking oil, MSG, toilet paper, medical masks, hand sanitizer... in the supermarket is very abundant. Before the new information about the epidemic in the province, we have increased the import of goods, have a plan to supply goods; arrange more human resources for online ordering and home delivery. Currently, prices are stable and there are many promotional programs to stimulate consumption."

At the traditional markets in Vinh City, the number of people going to the market is not unusual. According to traders, the amount of goods sold has not increased compared to before, the only change is that the goods are sold out faster than the previous days. The reason is said to be that some people avoid crowded places, so instead of going to the market every day, they now go to the market once to buy food for the next 2-3 days.

As the epidemic becomes more complicated, instead of going to the market every day, housewives choose to buy enough for 2-3 days. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Beyond stabilitybusiness, preparing supplies to meet people's needs, supermarkets, stores, and traditional markets in the province also strengthened response plans to the Covid-19 epidemic such as: people coming to shop must wear masks, wash their hands with sanitizer; support fast and convenient online shopping...

Mr. Cao Minh Tu - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade affirmed: "Currently, theshopping mall, supermarkets, markets, convenience stores, grocery stores, food, foodstuff, and essential goods suppliers... are still operating normally. The supply of essential goods is abundant, meeting people's needs. Businesses and localities have also had plans to respond to the developments of the epidemic. Therefore, people should not panic or rush to buy and hoard. For epidemic areas, when necessary, authorities will transfer goods at stable prices."

On the morning of May 7, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Mai town issued an urgent telegram on implementing social distancing for Hoang Mai town according to Directive 15/CT-TTG starting from 0:00 on May 7. Accordingly, the operation of service businesses in the area is temporarily suspended, except for businesses selling essential goods and services. Therefore, there is absolutely no "market ban" order as rumored.