The Chinese government has advised families to stock up on essentials in the event of an emergency, following the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and the unusually heavy rains that led to a spike in vegetable prices.
According to reports in local Chinese media, the Commerce Ministry issued a notice on November 1 advising citizens to stock up on vegetables, rice, noodles, cooking oil, and other essentials before winter arrives. However, rumors about a possible escalation with Taiwan began to circulate online shortly after the government moved quickly to assuage public concerns.
Prior to China's most important holiday, the Lunar New Year, which falls in early February 2022, the government typically makes extra efforts to increase fresh vegetable and pork supplies.
Due to severe weather conditions in Shandong province, the country's most extensive vegetable-growing region food supplies remain threatened by outbreaks of COVID-19 cases that have spread from the country's northwest to its northeast regions.
Although such notifications were not uncommon, according to the People's Daily Newspaper, they came at an inopportune time due to several factors, including a rise in vegetable prices and recent COVID-19 cases.
As winter approaches in China, food prices typically rise, but the cost of vegetables has skyrocketed in recent weeks due to the extreme weather conditions.
The Chinese government is increasingly instituting strict measures to limit the spread of viruses, including the closing of borders and the imposition of lengthy quarantine periods, particularly as the country prepares for the Winter Games of the Beijing Olympics, which begin on February 4.
China reported 92 new coronavirus cases on Monday, and Shanghai Disneyland was closed for at least two days after a weekend visitor tested positive for COVID-19 when he returned from his vacation.
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