SCOTS are being urged to shop responsibly to ease stock supply issues during the coronavirus pandemic.
Environment Secretary Fergus Ewing issued the call, appealing for the public not to stockpile or panic buy goods.
Despite fears over shortages, Ewing said he has been in contact with retailers who have “confirmed that they have sufficient stocks to provide enough food and other essentials for everyone”.
He added: “The issue is that, currently, demand is so high that products cannot be replenished on shelves in time, which is creating a perception of food shortages.
“This is a false picture though, and pressure on the supply could be greatly eased if shoppers buy just what they need rather than stockpiling. So I am calling on consumers to please shop considerately.”
Ewing’s remarks came nearly three weeks after Scotland’s first case of Covid-19 was confirmed on March 1.
As of yesterday, there had been 322 confirmed cases of the virus and six deaths of people who had been diagnosed.
Ewing added: “In particular, I would ask people to think about the needs and interests of our frontline and key workers who cannot get to the shops as often as the rest of us and who are shopping at unsocial hours.
“Please also consider helping those who can’t get to the shops themselves, especially elderly and vulnerable neighbours, family and friends who are being asked to restrict their social contact.
“And consider supporting local businesses and smaller retailers in the community by giving them your custom as well.
Ewing pointed out that the Scottish Government has already acted to enable local authorities to relax restrictions on delivery hours, delivery driver work patterns, and shop opening times to help shops remain stocked and allow shoppers more opportunity to access supplies out of normal business hours.
He added: “I also want to assure consumers that the Scottish Government is continually working with the food and drink industry and liaising closely with local government and other governments across the UK to ensure that fresh food and supplies remain available across all of Scotland.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel