Panic buying sets in for masks and sanitiser

Panic buying has become a reality in the Eastern Cape as fears of the coronavirus take hold.

The busy Forbes Pharmacy at the corner of St Peters Road and Oxford Street in East London only had some plastic gloves left.

Pharmacist Andiswa Hobongwana said: “People are panicking and on a daily basis they call to ask if we have masks and we don't have them. They are not even available from the supplier. It's the same with the sanitisers — we ran out of stock last week but we might be getting some next week. We do have plastic gloves.”

A worker at Clicks Pharmacy in Oxford Street, who may not be named as she is not authorised to speak to the media, showed DispatchLIVE empty shelves. “There is nothing as you can see. We might be getting some on Wednesday.”

The Sondelani Group of pharmacies, which owns nine stores across the province, also ran out of surgical masks and sanitisers.

An employee at the group said their outlets on Oxford Street, Mthatha and Mdantsane were battling to keep up with demand.

Michael Marais, the manager of the Crosswise Spar, said: “As soon as we get stock, it runs out.

“We are trying to source directly from the supplier but it seems they are struggling to get stock themselves.”

He said the selling out of toilet rolls and sanitisers was a double-edged sword. “It's good to have items sold out but not good for customers who do not get what they want.”

Crosswise Good Health Pharmacy manager Chris Kriel confirmed their sanitisers and toilet rolls were also sold out.

Shopper Boopindra Lalla and his wife Antoinette bought five packets of toilets rolls, each containing 10 units.

 “We are stocking up on toilet rolls because we might not find them the next day. I want to have enough,” Lalla said.

Meanwhile, on Monday there was great uncertainty over annual events which bring thousands of people to the Eastern Cape each year.

National government has banned gatherings of more than 100 people to counter the spread of Covid-19.

The National Arts Festival (NAF), now in its 47th year, draws 500,000 people every June and July and contributes close to R300m to the province's economy.

A crisis meeting was called by the NAF committee on Monday to discuss whether the show would go on.

At the time of writing, NAF spokesperson Sascha Polkey could not say what the outcome of the meeting was.

“Unfortunately I don’t have an official response just yet. The team is engaged in a number of discussions today. I am not able to make your deadline, but I will keep you updated.”

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency CEO Vuyani Dayimani confirmed that the festival was one of 17 tourism events the agency partnered with.

The 24th National Science Festival, scheduled to take place  from April 15 to 21 in Makhanda, is also in limbo. The Dispatch made several efforts to get a comment from SciFest organisers but was told they were at a meeting to discuss the matter.

Dayimani said the coronavirus outbreak was having a damaging economic affect everywhere and the Eastern Cape tourism sector was not immune.

DispatchLIVE has also postponed its popular Dispatch Dialogues.

Dispatch GM Ryan Megaw said: “Our primary concern is for the safety of the public and to minimise the opportunity for the spread of the coronavirus. In light of this I confirm the postponement of the Dispatch Dialogues and also our forthcoming subscriber event, which was scheduled for Thursday March 26.”

Rhodes University has postponed graduation ceremonies and all large gatherings on campus.

Eastern Cape universities have also suspended lectures.  

Rhodes University spokesperson Velisile Bukula said: “The decision was taken in light of President Ramaphosa's declaration of a national state of disaster and measures announced to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“All academic activities at Rhodes University have been temporarily suspended from Monday. Consultations with all university constituencies and the ministry of higher education will be held to decide on the way forward.”