Singapore Supermarkets Promise To Restock Shelves Wiped By Kiasu Shoppers
Hours after the Ministry of Health (MOH) pinged the DORSCON Orange alert on Friday (7 Feb), the prospect of staying at home more saw many Singaporeans chionging straight to supermarkets across the island.
The goal? To emerge with trolleys full of toilet paper, instant noodles & sacks of rice, in preparation for buckling down amid the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s what you can do to ensure you can secure your groceries easily, without inconveniencing other families by panic buying and avoiding large crowds in the process.
Staff at supermarkets working round-the-clock to restock items
Since pictures of packed aisles, long queues and empty shelves surfaced, basic supplies may seem to fall short of demand.
MS News understands that this is but a temporary situation.
Supermarket staff – including NTUC Fairprice’s CEO and Sheng Siong representatives – have assured citizens that they’re working round the clock to ensure that stocks are resupplied.
Warehouse stock available, shelves will be re-supplied soon
NTUC added that there’s no need to stockpile any goods for now as ample supplies are located in their warehouses.
We spoke to a few Sheng Siong supermarket staff in heartlands outlets who claimed that they’ll be re-stocking goods by this morning (8 Feb).
Online supermarket delivery fees & timings
Besides a high demand for surgical masks and hand sanitisers, there’s also online supermarket alternatives to consider.
Most of which come with a delivery service with purchases above a certain amount. At the time of writing, necessities like toilet paper, detergent, instant food and fresh fruit, meat and eggs are still available on most sites.
We’ve collated the major online supermarket’s prices & delivery times below.
- Free delivery for $59+ orders
- Next-day delivery
- Timing is subject to availability
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $40+ orders
- Same-day delivery if checkout before 10am
- Next-day delivery if checkout after 10am
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $100+ orders
- Same-day delivery if checkout before 4pm (within 3 hours)
- Next-day delivery if checkout after 4pm
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $40+ orders for LiveUp members
- Same-day delivery: 7am-10pm, Mon-Sun
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $40+ orders
- Same-day delivery in 1 hour
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $40+ orders
- Delivery within 2 hours of checkout
- Begin ordering here
- Free delivery for $49+ orders (without bulk items)
- Begin ordering here
Do note that the information collated is accurate at the time of writing. The delivery times are subject to demand conditions and availability.
Keep calm & carry on
Though MOH’s DORSCON Orange alert raises our state of vigilance to the second highest level, it will do us more good to remain calm and only purchase what we need.
In the event of an emergency, it’s best to work together to ensure our collective safety. This is so that the nationwide alert works as it should, rather than spreading unnecessary panic & an unhealthy hoarding culture.
We hope everyone manages to remain fully stocked in anticipation for what’s to come. Stay vigilant and safe everyone!
Featured image by MS News.
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