No Need To Over-Shop For COVID-19

Illustration. (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - In the past two days, shopping centers for basic necessities such as supermarkets have been flooded with visitors. They went shopping in droves, because besides being young, they were also due to panic after the announcement of two Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were positively exposed to the corona virus or COVID-19.

Yesterday, the Indonesian government announced that two people had been found positive for the corona virus or COVID-19 and both of them had been treated intensively in hospital.

Previously, Indonesia was the only country in Southeast Asia that had not had a positive case of COVID-19. After the discovery of two people who were declared positive, panic broke out in the community.

Concern over COVID-19 has made people hunt for groceries in every shopping center for supplies. Chairperson of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (APRINDO) Roy N. Mandey urged Indonesians not to do shopping for excessive needs because of panic or panic buying due to the phobia of COVID-19.

"Due to this excessive or excessive action, it creates another new phobia that does not need to occur when actually all the needs of the community can still be fulfilled and fulfilled properly," he said, through a written statement received by VOI, quoted Wednesday, March 3.

Roy said, APRINDO retail members are always ready to be present to meet the food and non-food needs of people throughout Indonesia.

Likewise, the Association of Indonesian Shopping Center Retailers and Renters (HIPPINDO) appealed to the public to buy only what they need. The government's statement that Indonesia is already positive for COVID-19 does not need panic buying.

HIPPINDO Chairperson Budihardjo Iduansjah emphasized that the supply of goods at its member outlets is sufficient to meet the needs of the community. According to him, if people panic shopping, it will actually make it difficult for buyers to get the goods they want. This is because the retail manager has not had the opportunity to take stock of goods from the warehouse to be displayed on the retail goods shelves.

Budi admitted that his party had coordinated with producer associations and supplier distributors to ensure supplies in anticipation of increasing community needs.

"HIPPINDO, which has more than 200 retail companies as members, will always support the government in taking the necessary steps regarding the global issue that is currently spreading around the world. With more than 50,000 outlets throughout Indonesia, HIPPINDO can become a partner of the government in providing services. best for the Indonesian people, "he said.