The Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade and relevant local agencies are taking steps to ensure that there are adequate food supplies for Da Nang’s residents during coronavirus crisis.

Shoppers at the BigC Mall in the evening of 16 August

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Industry and Trade, traditional markets and retailers citywide has pledged to ensure the sufficient supply and distribution of food and essentials at stabilised prices for local residents during the Covid-19 pandemic..

The Department has encouraged people living in residential areas placed under lockdown to place their orders by telephone or online in such supermarkets as Co.opmart, BigC, Lotte Mart, MM Mega Market and Vinmart+, in a bid to restrict their travelling and ensure they practise safe social distancing.

Ms Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, the Head of the Son Tra District’s Economic Office, said her district has taken actions to ensure adequate supply of food and essentials for local residents amid virus crisis.

In particular, online grocery and food shopping is encouraged among local residents, especially those living in residential areas placed under lockdown, in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, traditional markets, supermarkets and stores have asked to stockpiling enough food and essential supplies, including rice, salt, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil, canned food and instant noodles, for local residents.

The city's residents are advised to stockpile enough food and essentials for their families for 2-3 days to limit their travel amid coronavirus fears

Ms Mai said, some wards in the district have proactively taken steps to help people living in blockaded residential areas to have enough food to feed their families.

The An Hai Dong Ward authorities, for example, have offered food supply service since 10 August.

At 4.00pm every day, the ward's staff will visit families under lockdown to collect their orders and then help them place their orders over phone or online order in Vinmart, the Son Tra District branch of Co.op Mart and the An Hai Dong Cooperative. Food will be delivered to these families in the next morning.

Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Ha Bac advises local residents to buy enough food and essential items for their families to prevent stockpiling because retailers in Da Nang have assured customers they are prepared and have adequate supply. In addition, he warned local residents against panic buying spurred by fears of the coronavirus outbreak which could spark food riots and empty shelves as well as impose more burdens on the city's authorities in the context of coronavirus. 

By KHANH HOA - Translated by M.DUNG