'No reason to overpurchase': Panic buying discouraged following lockdown

Long pre-lockdown lines not expected to result in surge in COVID-19 cases: Dr. Karim Kurji

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 15

Photos showing long lines and crowds at Vaughan shopping centres showed up on social media over the weekend as residents tried to fill their trolleys in lead-up to today's lockdown.

Images from a Vaughan Costco showed people crowding into long lines Dec. 12, and then Dec. 13, a video showed up with what appeared to be hundreds of people lined up outside Vaughan Mills.

The mall admitted it extended its hours that night so shoppers could get their buying done prior to the Dec. 14 lockdown.

York Region's medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji, said there was no reason for residents to feel as though they needed to panic buy.

"There is no reason for residents to overpurchase items, as essential services and grocery stores are permitted to remain open under the Grey-lockdown zone and many have already set limits on items," he wrote.

"We are not anticipating an increase in cases two weeks from now due to shopping activity because of the restrictions set out in the provincial framework and the additional health measures included in the Section 22 class order requiring retail businesses and malls selling essential items permitted to be open to ensure 2-metre physical distancing be maintained and masks or face coverings be worn. These combined are measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Having said that, time and again the virus has proven to be unpredictable."