PM orders adequate supply of essential goods amid coronavirus concerns

Through the Government Office, the PM asked the Hanoi authorities to provide updated and complete information on Covid-19 developments so as to calm the people.

He instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to take measures to prevent mass-hoarding of goods and supply sufficient resources to those in quarantine.

At a meeting on the afternoon of March 7, the head of the MOIT’s department of domestic market Tran Duy Dong said retailers had already projected a spike in consumer demand during the outbreak and planned to supply more goods to meet the increased demand.

Retailers reported a rise on the number of buyers from the morning of March 7 but they still had enough stock to meet consumer demand.

They said goods from other provinces have been transported to the capital city to replenish supermarkets there while pledging not to hike prices despite an increase in demand.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Tran Tuan Anh urged supply chains to be proactive in increasing their stock of goods to meet a surge in demand in case of extended quarantine periods over wider areas.