Vizianagaram: People queue up at shops, hypermarkets to buy groceries

Vizianagaram: With both the Central and State government taking up more awareness programmes on Covid-19, people are preferring to stay at home. They began cancelling functions and tours. Despite Prime Minister Modi assuring that supply of groceries will continue unabated, people are opting to buy huge quantities. They are rushing to wholesale shops to buy provisions in bulk.

Shops, hotels and tiffin centres have been closed at different places. Now every family is preparing food at home and opting to consume home-made food instead of outside food.

Venkateswara Departmental Stores at Thotapalem in Vizianagaram is witnessing heavy rush of customers. The people are purchasing double than what they require. Ramesh, the trader says, "We have been in the counter right from. early morning. It's hectic. People are purchasing sugar, flour, pulses, rice, soaps and cosmetics in huge quantity. If the situation continues for two more days, our shop will be closed due to out of stock."

Even the people are purchasing some general medicines like Paracetamol from medical shops. K Ravi of Ravi Medicals says, "People are buying medicines for common fever, cough, and for iron. It seems that they are preserving them at home for future requirement."

Hypermarkets like Reliance Fresh, More and Spencers also receiving huge consumers. The people are availing every offer being provided on certain products. They are purchasing dozens of soaps, oil packets, peanuts and fruits. K Sridevi, a housewife of Balajinagar, says, "Our neighbours advised me to procure provisions for two months. So I bought every commodity in double quantity than the actual requirement of my family. We are forced to follow others."