Coronavirus: Singapore urges calm after panic buying hits supermarkets amid outbreak fears

Widespread stocking up of essentials such as toilet rolls and instant noodles has hit the city state after it raised its alert level

Trade minister assured Singaporeans that there is no risk of the island nation running a shortage of essential household items

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Singapore’s trade minister sought to assure Singaporeans that there is no need to rush for essential supplies like rice or instant noodles. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:00am, 8 Feb 2020Updated: 3:04pm, 25 Feb 2020

The government has come out to assure Singaporeans that there is an ample supply of essentials, after the raising of the risk assessment level of the novel coronavirus situation in the city state sparked panic buying at supermarkets.

Photos of long queues and empty shelves at supermarkets have been circulating on social media after Singapore raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level to Orange on Friday afternoon. This refers to a situation in which a virus is spreading in Singapore but not widely, and is being contained.

Shoppers have also encountered difficulties buying groceries online due to high demand.

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing sought to assure Singaporeans that there is no need to rush for essential supplies like rice or instant noodles.

“Our supply lines for these essentials are intact and there is no risk of us running a shortage of essential food or household items. We also have our national stockpile for essential items,” Chan said in a Facebook post.

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