China coronavirus: shelves cleared of essentials as spread sparks Hong Kong panic buying
- Food and disinfectants sell out at some city supermarkets
- Stores in Yuen Long had sold out of greens by early Wednesday afternoon
Shoppers cleared shelves of food and disinfectants at some Hong Kong supermarkets on Wednesday, as residents fretted about a local coronavirus outbreak, though traders remained confident supplies would remain stable.
Worried residents at a ParknShop supermarket in Heng Fa Chuen were told by staff to come back earlier the next day, after vegetables sold out by 2pm.
One employee, who declined to be named, said supply had stayed the same but demand had surged. “Just like surgical face masks. It’s a special period right now,” he said.
Eggs, noodles, rice and even bottled water had been cleared from shelves at the store, along with disinfectant products and fresh produce.
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, first discovered in Wuhan in Hubei province, has topped 6,100 worldwide, with more than 6,000 in mainland China, where 132 people have died. Hong Kong has 10 confirmed cases.