MANILA, Philippines — Consumers on Thursday flocked to groceries in Metro Manila to stock up food items and sanitation needs amid fears of localized lockdown in the region due to the 2019 coronavirus threat. ADVERTISEMENTGovernment officials and the health department already disowned messages prompting the public to start panic-buying due to a proposed lockdown. Despite the health protocol of social distancing, groceries appeared to be filled with crowds of panicking consumers. Supermarket-goers’ baskets and shopping carts are full of toilet papers, canned goods, bottles of rubbing alcohol and other basic needs. The Philippine health department placed the country under Code Red Sub-Level 1 which means there is heightened surveillance for people with respiratory symptoms, intensified contact tracing and stricter home quarantine.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 12, 2020 12:11 UTC