Hong Kong leader, food suppliers call on public to stop panic buying, assure residents city has enough reserves and support from mainland China
- Ever since word emerged of a possible large-scale lockdown later this month, Hongkongers have rushed to snap up frozen meat, medicine, baby food and other goods
- But industry representatives say the city’s supply lines are stable and there is no need to stockpile necessities
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor urged residents on Wednesday not to panic over the supply of food and daily necessities, assuring them that the flow of goods into the city has mostly returned to normal with help from Beijing.
Her call was echoed by food suppliers, who said the city was well-stocked in spite of manpower shortages and shipping hiccups.
Lam made the appeal as the first trainload of anti-epidemic supplies from mainland China arrived in Hong Kong to ease a recent crunch amid a surging fifth wave of coronavirus infections.
The nine-car train pulled into Lo Wu Marshalling Yard at noon from Pinghu, Shenzhen, carrying about 20,000 protective gowns, 1.1 million sets of rapid test kits, medical supplies and fresh food. Shenzhen authorities said there would be one mainland cargo train arriving into Hong Kong daily, though that number could increase to eight if needed.
A source said the medical supplies would be sent to isolation facilities and hospitals, with Chinese medicine delivered to Covid-19 patients and protective gear to frontline disciplined services staff and medical workers.
Lam said due to an increasing number of infections among cross-border truck drivers, the transport of goods from the mainland had been affected, and other means to deliver supplies were needed.