The Hong Kong government on Saturday urged residents not to panic-buy fresh food and medicines in a bid to a calm a population agitated by rumours of a potential city lockdown.
Authorities said that the supply of fresh food from the Chinese mainland “was abundant”, while prices were comparable with those of previous days. “Members of public need not over-purchase supplies,” a statement said.
Health officials on Friday called on people not to stockpile medicines that can relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, saying the overall supply is stable.
They noted that there has been a sharp increase in demand for drugs that could lower fever, relieve pain as well as cough syrup, in particular certain brands of medicine containing paracetamol, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong rises.
Officials said they had requested suppliers and local manufacturers to increase supply, adding that if necessary they will consider buying these medicines from the mainland.
The announcements came as a top aide to chief executive Carrie Lam said he would quarantine at home after a family member tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test.
Eric Chan, director of Lam’s office, was identified as a close contact and would work from home, the government said.
- George Russell
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