People in Taiwan were panic buying as much as possible during the spread of coronavirus. Taiwan has only reported 108 cases of the virus, but some people have got panic. They went in a rush to go to a supermarket to stock up.
On the other hand, government said that there is no need to panic and it will punish hoarding and profiteering. The case rises recent days from people returning from overseas.
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang said it was the ideal opportunity to buy more Taiwanese products in a boon for the economy. He posted on his Facebook.
“Taiwan is a kingdom of fruits, a kingdom of fisheries, and a big food processing country. As the economy is slowing down, of course the government encourages everyone to enthusiastically buy,” he wrote.
Su said there were lots of supplies in Taiwan, including of toilet paper which has sold out in many countries.
During a brief toilet paper panic last month, he called for calm saying people “only have one butt-hole,” to widespread amusement across the island.
“If people aren’t spending outside and want to cook for themselves at home, buy more vegetables and fruit, buy more Taiwanese agricultural products, cheer on the farmers.
This is a great thing,” he said, adding that the island’s farmers would welcome the support.
Export-reliant Taiwan’s economy has been buffeted by the virus. On Thursday, the central bank cut interest rates for the first time in more than four years to a new low and shaved its outlook for economic growth this year to 1.92% from 2.57% forecasted in December.
The government is also rolling out a T$60 billion ($1.98 billion) stimulus package.