MANILA, Philippines — Buyers can only bring to the grocery checkout a maximum of two bottles of alcohol and 2 bottles of hand sanitizers, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Thursday following reports of panic-buying amid fears stirred by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Yesterday, in the meeting with manufacturers and retailers ng basic goods natin (of our basic goods), we have agreed na yung alcohol and hand sanitizers will be limited to two bottles per person ang purchase,” DTI USec. Ruth Castelo said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
“Babantayan din natin ang retailers to make sure two bottles lang, (we will monitor our retailers to make sure people will only purchase two bottles),” she added.
Castelo said that one of the intentions for the limit was to prevent the public from hoarding, as well as reselling alcohol and hand sanitizers at a higher price.
“And then, of course, we’re stretching the inventory din ng manufacturers and retailers para (so that) everybody will have the chance to buy,” Castelo said.
Amid the rising cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, Malacañang assured the public that the country has enough supplies of basic goods, and urged the people not to resort to panic-buying.
As of Thursday, the confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country are at 49.
The DTI official said that the limit on two bottles of alcohol and disinfectants will be “regardless of size.”
“So you choose the 60 ml [bottle], dalawa lang pwede (you can only buy two),” Castelo said “Kung gusto mo 500 ml, dalawa lang rin na bote ang pwedeng bilhin ng isang tao (two bottles are only allowed).”
Previously, the DTI also reminded merchants of the 60-day price freeze imposed on all basic commodities due to the COVID-19 threat.
The COVID-19 was caused by a new coronavirus that first broke out in Wuhan City of China.
The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was later identified as SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
This virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people. It may also lead to severe illnesses such as pneumonia to others, especially to older adults and to people who have pre-existing health problems.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. Such viruses are named for their spikes on their surfaces.