RICE, milk powder and instant noodles have been flying off supermarket shelves since this morning as Malaysians start to hoard supplies after coronavirus infections spiked over the last few days.

A survey at supermarkets in the Klang Valley and Penang found shoppers pushing multiple carts filled to the brim with dry goods and toiletries.

When approached by The Malaysian Insight, many denied they were “panicking” but said they “were just getting prepared” in case the government announces a lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is scheduled to make an announcement on the Covid-19 situation at 9pm today. All through the day, various groups have urged the government to impose a lockdown.

Of the 10 shoppers interviewed, only one said that she was not stocking up while the rest admitted they were “preparing for a lockdown”.

“I just want to be cautious. Buy now and if anything happens later I can just stay at home,” said housewife Nancy, 36, outside a supermarket at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur.

Nancy was pushing two shopping trolleys full of milk powder, rice, tissues, eggs and mineral water bottles.

Another shopper May, 37, said the yesterday’s abrupt spike of up to 190 cases in a single day worried her.

“It is shocking. So I’m just preparing for the worst. I have young kids at home and if the government announces a lockdown, which is the talk of the town now, then we’re prepared.”

Another housewife, Assunta, who was among the crowd of shoppers in Mid Valley, said it appeared that all of Kuala Lumpur had the same idea.

“A crowd like this on Monday is unusual,” she said of the long queues in the supermarket.

“Some of the stuff is no longer available and I can’t get them. I have a big family and I need to get a lot of things. So probably I will ask my husband to find them elsewhere once he’s back from work,” said the 37-year-old.

In the supermarket, shelves that would normally be stocked with wet wipes, hand wash and nappies were bare.

Powdered milk, instant noodles, biscuits and eggs were also running out.

Nearby pharmacies had run out of large-sized hand sanitisers, while some outlets were selling the small 70ml bottles for up to RM40 a piece.

Countries such as China, Italy, Spain and Iran have enforced lockdowns in certain cities as the virus rampage across their populations.

Other countries such as Thailand and Australia have also seen panicked residents emptying supermarket shelves of dried food while fights have broken out over toilet rolls.

Not panicking but preparing

At a hypermarket in Seberang Jaya, Penang’s mainland, Toh Teoh Lili was surprised to see a crowd on a Monday afternoon, which is typically when she goes shopping.

“It’s not normal to see so many people and supplies running out. I think they are worried about a lockdown,” said the 40-year old personal trainer.

“I think the government can deal with the virus so I’m buying what I normally buy.”

The hypermarket had run out of instant noodles, biscuits and dried food, and stores of laundry detergent and toiletries were low.

Entrepreneur Rozana Mohamed was not taking any chances as she needed extra supplies now that the kids would be staying at home for the holidays.

“I am prepared for a lockdown. My store can last for more than a month. I bought three sacks of rice and three bottles of cooking oil,” said Rozana at a supermarket chainstore in Bukit Mertajam.

“I’m not panicking, I just want to be ready,” said the 50-year-old.

Aspalela Mohamad Nor spent RM300 on groceries today. Among her purchases were three sacks of rice, assorted canned food and two large bottles of cooking oil.

“Yes we’re worried about a lockdown. But if a lockdown doesn’t happen, we’ll then have adequate supplies.”

At the upscale Village Grocer in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, the aisles were also clogged with shoppers who were stuffing their baskets with bread, cooking oil, eggs and shower gel.

“I have a big family and the grandchildren are still young and they’ll get hungry quickly,” said retiree Irene, 55

“The situation may get worse so I’m getting prepared.”

K. Mani took the afternoon off from work to stock up on food at TMC in Bangsar for his small family in anticipation of a lockdown announcement.

“When I told my wife, she (did not take the rumours seriously). But I’m not willing to take any risk. If anything happens, we won’t have regrets then,” said the 57-year-old entrepreneur.

“By the time our government announces a lockdown, things will be out of stock. Even now, most of the supermarket has been cleaned out. So it’s better to be safe than sorry. – March 16, 2020.