Covid-19: Warnings issued on price hiking of goods
Companies are prohibited from increasing prices for essential items which include hand sanitisers, toilet paper, face masks, cleaning products and gloves
PEOPLE cashing in on the coronavirus pandemic are set to be brought to task by new regulations put in place by government.
Companies are prohibited from increasing prices for essential items which include hand sanitisers, toilet paper, face masks, cleaning products and gloves.
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On the food front, the products for which prices will be regulated include cooking oils, flour, rice, maize meal, pasta, sugar, boxed milk, canned and frozen vegetables, and bottled water.
The new regulations fall in line with government’s Disaster Management Act after the national state of disaster was announced, and will remain in place during lockdown.
The regulations put in place necessary steps to prevent an escalation of the pandemic, as well as to contain and minimise the effects.
This comes in light of stores and pharmacies reportedly escalating their prices in response to panic buying.
Owing to shortages of some essential items, social media has also been abuzz with budding entrepreneurs advertising products, most of which have not been accredited, at an inflated price.
Those found guilty of violating the regulations could face hefty penalties including fines of up to R1-million or jail time of up to a year.
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