Coimbatore: People crowded grocery shops, vegetable and fish markets, and ATMs by flouting Covid-19 precautionary measures on Sunday to buy and stock things ahead of the total lockdown, which would come into effect from Monday, despite the government making it clear that the shops selling essentials items would be allowed to function for limited hours during the period.
This irresponsible behaviour from the public comes at a time when the daily spike in Covid-19 cases is touching new highs and many battling for their lives.
It was to contain the virus that the state government announced full lockdown from May 10 to 24. To ensure supply of essential commodities to the citizens, the government had permitted grocery shops, confectionaries and fish and meat shops to function from 6am to noon. As such there was no reason for people to resort to panic buying.