The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and Consumer Council (CC) reaffirmed in a joint statement yesterday that there is a sufficient supply of daily goods in local markets and shops, so both again urged consumers to shop sensibly.
Both entities issued a similarly worded statement on Monday.
The statement quoted the Civil Protection Operations Centre as clarifying that there was no intention by the government to launch a “grid-style social management” plan in Macau in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, the bureau and the council urged residents not to worry about the supply of goods, adding that both will continue to pay close attention to local consumer market conditions.
The statement underlined that in order to ensure a steady supply of consumer goods, the bureau and the council will crack down on price gouging and goods hoarding.
The statement underlined that both will keep inspecting each district in the city. It added that DSEDT officials and CC staff have been checking over hundreds of retail outlets, such as supermarkets, since Saturday.
The statement noted that although the number of shoppers at supermarkets increased yesterday afternoon, the consumer behaviour was generally normal.
The statement underlined that there are enough goods in stock, adding that all supermarkets will speed up the delivery of their supplies to keep the shelves filled. Consequently, both urged consumers not to buy too much and to refrain from social gatherings as they would raise the risk of the novel coronavirus spreading.
Meanwhile, the bureau and council reminded residents to pay close attention to the government’s COVID-19 prevention announcements, and not to trust “uncertified” information as it could be “untrue”.
In addition, both also urged supermarkets to follow the Health Bureau’s instructions to do better in their novel coronavirus prevention measures by asking consumers and workers to submit their “Macau Health Code” when entering the premises, requiring them to wear their facemask and maintain social distancing, as well as to controll the number of shoppers in order to prevent overcrowding, and also to improve their disinfecting and hygiene work.
No. of supermarket shoppers dips last night
According to another joint statement by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and Consumer Council (CC) last night, after an inspection of supermarkets in each district, the number of shoppers dropped last night, while the shelves had already been filled by their staff.
The statement quoted a person in charge of a supermarket as pledging that fresh food, such as vegetables, will be on the shelves this morning.
A long queue for the cashier winds around shelves at Royal Supermarket in Travessa do Padre Soares yesterday. Photo: Rui Pastorin
