Top federal public health officer Theresa Tam Sunday urged Canadians to act swiftly and firmly to combat the COVID-19 pandemic even as retailers and top politicians reassured the country that any restrictive measures would not result in shortages of food or other basics. Both the Retail Council of Canada and Prime Minister Trudeau said supplies of groceries and other basics would continue to flow even if the outbreak of the novel coronavirus triggered widespread store or border closures. But Ms Tam said collective action is needed immediately: “Our window to flatten the curve of the epidemic is narrow,” she said at a news conference. “We all need to act now. COVID-19 is a serious public health threat.”
No need for buying panic retailers, suppliers insist
The Retail Council of Canada said the current high demand for food, toilet paper and other staples is understandable as the number of positive cases continues to climb but it urged Canadians not to succumb to panic. Suppliers say that about 70 percent of commonly purchased items are produced domestically, ensuring their continued availability in Canadian stores. Fresh produce and other items being imported into the country at this time of year may see temporary sell-outs but retailers have suppliers in a variety of countries and have contingency plans in place.
