Ontario government asks people to practice normal grocery buying habits
COVID-19 scare has sparked panic buying at grocery stores
Enough with the panic buying.
A finger wag from the Ontario government on Saturday afternoon after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the province has triggered rounds of panic buying at grocery stores.
At Costco in Barrie on Friday, there was a line up outside the door. Other pictures posted to social media at various locations showed store shelves emptied of toilet paper and bottled water.
Christine Elliot, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs issued a statement in response to the panic buying and COVID-19 in Ontario.
“The health and well-being of the people of Ontario is our government’s number one priority. Ontarians can be confident that our food supply is robust and that our distribution system will continue to operate and remain responsive to the needs of Ontarians. Rest assured, we have plenty of food that will continue to reach grocery stores on a regular basis.”
Our food supply chain is one of the strongest in the world and our government remains committed to ensuring Ontarians can access healthy and nutritious Ontario-based foods.
Please practice normal grocery buying habits and rest assured that our grocery production and supply chain will continue to provide Ontarians with the food we enjoy each and every day.”
During times like this we must all work together to take care of one another. Panic buying hurts our seniors, friends and neighbours. Please be considerate of others during this challenging time and remember that we are all in this together.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 13, 2020
The panic buying has not been confined only to Ontario.
The first announced presumptive case of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan on Thursday prompted panic buying. Several box stores in Saskatoon reported running out of toilet paper and other stores had shelves emptied of disinfectant sprays, bleach and wipes.