As Barbadians continue to rush to supermarkets and shops to stock up on supplies, and even as some shops start to ration some items, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has dismissed the notion that Barbadians are hoarding.
She dismissed the suggestion, saying Barbadians were simply being proactive and putting things in place “for the long-haul” should that be required.
Mottley made the comments as she joined an afternoon online session organized by the Ministry of Education to explain Government’s decision to keep schools open and respond to some of the concerns of stakeholders.
“There is something really special about being Barbadian. Barbadians have a different outlook and it is perhaps why sometimes others in the region may poke at us, but the truth is, we tend to be reflective of measures,” said Mottley.
“I give you a very powerful example. Everybody accused people yesterday of hoarding. Bajans weren’t hoarding yesterday. Bajans understood from the night before and the news yesterday (Tuesday) that we have a battle to face and that they were getting their supplies to baton down for the long-haul,” she said.
Yesterday morning officials announced that there were two imported cases of the feared COVID-19 virus, a 48-year-old visitor and a 39-year-old female Barbadian, who came in on Friday, March 13 on a JetBlue flight from the US.
Almost immediately, Barbadians, flocked to the supermarkets purchasing various items.
Prior to any case being reported residents had been said to be “panic-buying” hand sanitizers, bathroom tissue, wipes and other sanitizing items.
The sudden increase in shopping has resulted in some supermarkets limiting the number of toilet paper that customers can purchase, and others have started instituting specific time for only seniors to do their shopping.
Both Mottley and President of the Barbados Private Sector Association Edward Clarke have already warned residents against hoarding and merchants against price gouging.
