Chinese expect to make their basic purchases this week, as they fear that a cold wave or, worse, Covid, will arrive in December with new restrictions.
They ask China to buy basic necessities before December.
They generate speculation and panic in social networks due to outbreaks of Covid-19.
They predict a cold wave and call to guarantee supply in food stores.
The urgency of the Ministry of Commerce to provide provisions in China generated a stir in social networks, as many consider that they could be predicting a re-outbreak of Covid-19 or a violent cold wave.
The government of the Asian country urged local authorities to stabilize prices and guarantee food supplies during this month so that households can buy essential ammunition before December, They even asked families to stock up on essential items that they might require, for example, in case of emergencies.
The notice caused panic among citizens, as they fear it is related to an increase in coronavirus cases, closures and more sanitary and commercial restrictions in Chinese territory.
More supplies in China, just for emergency
With more than 43 million views on the Weibo social network, the Chinese Government’s request has already generated thousands of reactions and speculation from Internet users, who plan to carry out their “panic purchases” this week.
However, there is a greater concern, prices soared in some cases of vegetables and meat, after heavy rains soaked the main producing areas and affected the distribution of products.
“The supply of daily necessities is sufficient everywhere and the supply must be fully guaranteed,” said Zhu Xiaoliang, a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce, to assuage concerns online.
Shortly after, through local media, authorities published a report saying that the call to stock up is to warn Chinese families and keep them prepared in case the holidays force them to self-quarantine again.
Not to mention, the country is also bracing for a cold snap, forecast in some regions with up to 15 degrees Celsius falling.
As low temperatures cause food prices to rise, major agricultural distributors were encouraged to sign long-term contracts with producers to improve reserve systems to ensure that demand for vegetables is met before the Lunar New Year.
The call to stock up on food comes less than two weeks after a different department told businesses not to stockpile food.
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