A WhatsApp message purportedly coming from the Ministry of Agriculture and circulating on social media is false and should be ignored.
The Whatsapp message details that a major supermarket along with the ECGC is currently running low on stocks, and that Vincentians should stock up on gas.
Below is a snapshot of the message
“The Ministry of Agriculture is anticipating a food shortage due to this global Coronavirus. Greaves has informed the Ministry that they only have 3 weeks of stock remaining, ECGC has stock to kast until April, Trinidad has already closed their borders so the boats that bring goods for imports cannot go to Trinidad. Therefore, its imperative you stock up on food all now to avoid what is to come. Also cooking gas”.
Response from the Government
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour denounces attempts by persons who have maliciously posted a bulletin that several supermarkets only have limited stock of food supply and that persons must participate in panic purchasing.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour as part of its COVID -19 Food Security and Mitigation Plan will make official releases on issues relating to food security.