Merchants warned against profiteering off virus

In light of mounting fear among residents over the COVID-19, which has so far led to a run on some items in supermarkets and pharmacies, officials have issued a stern warning against hoarding of products or price gouging.

Officials gave no indication of what monitoring process would be put in place or what measures would be taken against individuals found guilty of price gouging or hoarding. However, during a briefing on Tuesday, following a lengthy meeting with stakeholders to discuss plans in relation to the island’s preparedness against the COVID-19, President of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Edward Clarke made it clear that the association would not be tolerating such practices.

“We know there is concern by the public about price gouging at this time globally. We have heard in the news reports about some of that taking place in some other markets. This is not something that we should tolerate in Barbados and I certainly will not be someone tolerating price gouging anywhere in Barbados,” he warned.

So far supermarkets and pharmacies have been reporting low or no stock of hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes and masks.

Clarke said: “We believe that even the hoarding of supplies should be something that is discouraged.”

He explained that hoarding the items could cause the most vulnerable to be even more exposed to the virus should it reach Barbados’ shores.

“We need to understand that the weakest link is still a problem for us. It makes no sense for those who can afford to hoard and not to allow those that don’t have to procure,” said Clarke.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mia Mottley also spoke against the hoarding of items and price gouging, saying now was not the time to panic because Barbados was “following the science” in dealing with the issue.

“The only thing that panic does is to drive divisions among people. That is not the Barbadian way,” said Mottley.

“We, however, are conscious that those who will want to act as outliers will have to do so knowing that they will face the full weight of whatever comes their way, whether it is in terms of hoarding or price gouging or any other inappropriate activity that seeks to take advantage of the most vulnerable among us,” Mottley warned.

Barbados does not have laws against price gouging and so far there have been no reports of the activity taking place here.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb