Singaporeans went into panic buying mode again after the Malaysian government announced on Monday, 16 Mar, that they would be going on a nationwide lockdown for two weeks.
All the NTUCs, Giants and Cold Storages around Singapore were filled with shoppers trying to stockpile enough toilet paper and food for themselves.
Because everyone thought that the lockdown meant that no food would be coming in from Malaysia anymore.
Well…
Food Supplies From Malaysia Still Entering Singapore
As you are probably aware by now, Malaysia has already started its lockdown and the Causeway is feeling really sad and empty today.
This is what it looked like around 4pm today.
But wait…do you see that?
It’s not entirely empty.
Yes, because trucks carrying food supplies from Malaysia are still crossing the border and entering Singapore.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had already reassured Singaporeans yesterday that the delivery of goods and cargo between Singapore and Malaysia would not be disrupted despite the lockdown.
In case you still don’t believe him, here’s proof of delivery trucks from Malaysia being unloaded in Singapore today:
Goods From Malaysia Arrived As Usual Today
It turns out that the supply of goods from Malaysia arrived as per normal to most retailers this morning.
I mean, obviously, since there were no traffic jams at all on the Causeway.
Apart from fresh produce, other goods like medicine and infant diapers were also allowed through checkpoints.
“I am glad to see that the supply of fresh food has not been fully disrupted and most of our wholesalers and retailers managed to receive their goods as per normal since this morning,” wrote Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Chun Chun Sing, in a Facebook post.
However, although most supplies were delivered as usual, some fishmongers did not receive as much produce as they normally do, according to The Straits Times.
Mr Lee, 43, who is a fishmonger at Ghim Moh Market, told The Straits Times that he received 30 to 40 per cent fewer fish than usual.
“Some of the suppliers and their staff were not able to unload the fish here. It’s more difficult for fresh food because we need the supply to come in on a daily basis,” he said.
In another report, some businesses in Singapore even claimed that the supplies came on time due to the goody traffic. Now at least there’s something goody from this lockdown.
Some Trucks Could Not Cross The Border
Some trucks that were not containing specifically food supplies were not allowed to cross the border.
Mr Chan was aware of this matter, and he addressed it in his Facebook post as well.
“We are aware that some companies have provided feedback that trucks not containing food have not been allowed to come in. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in touch with our Malaysian counterparts to ensure that food and other supplies will be able to come through to Singapore as agreed by Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin in his phone call with PM Lee yesterday,” he said.
He also mentioned that he spoke to Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry, Azmin Ali, today afternoon, to thank him for facilitating the flow of goods and supplies into Singapore.
They agreed to work closely together to slow down the spread of Covid-19.
So in case you’re still paranoid that you’ll end up starving because of Malaysia’s lockdown, clearly there is really, really nothing to worry about.
Food supplies arrived in Singapore per normal today morning, and it will continue to be that way for the following 13 days.
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So stop stressing!
