Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday called on the public to refrain from panic-buying and sharing of unverified information as the country faces threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo appealed to the public to “buy only what they need” following reports of hoarding necessities in groceries.
“This would only result in undue hoarding and price increases. Our officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave assurances that we have ample stock of essential items,” Panelo said.
DTI earlier said there is no need to panic-buy and assured that the government is ready even in the scenario of a lockdown.
Panelo also urged the public to cooperate and stop spreading unverified information on the COVID-19.
“Let us not circulate unverified information that may only cause unnecessary anxiety among the members of our respective communities and instead maintain good hygiene and observe proper etiquette at all times,” he said.
Furthermore, the Palace official reiterated the Department of Health’s (DOH) reminder that those who had a close contact with people suspected of having COVID-19 “should be prioritized in obtaining medical attention and management.”
“Close contacts include persons with a travel history in the last 14 days to countries with local transmission or those who have a history of exposure to patients who tested positive for COVID-19, i.e., those who provided direct care for a COVID-19 patient or those working together, staying in the same close environment, traveling together, or living in the same household with a COVID-19 patient within the 14-day incubation period,” Panelo explained.
As of Monday, the country has 33 recorded cases of COVID-19, a respiratory disease that emerged in Wuhan of Hubei province in China.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.