Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya advised people not to panic buy Covid-19 test kits as more supply will be arriving here within a day or two.
He gave the assurance after inspecting several retail establishments, including pharmacies, selling such test-kits with Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Sabah Director Georgie Abas, here, Monday.
Shahelmey’s unscheduled inspection was prompted by public concern that Covid-19 test kits were in short supply in Kota Kinabalu.
“From my survey, I see that certain pharmacies have run out of Covid-19 test kit stock,” he said, pinning the scarcity on a recent spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly involving educational institutions in Sabah.
However, he said, after speaking with local pharmacy owners, they are optimistic that Covid-19 test kit supplies will arrive in a day or two.
“My advice to the public is not to be worried about the availability of Covid-19 test kits in this and other parts of the State,” he said.
“Those who require can obtain it from pharmacies that still have stock or even convenience stores that sell Covid-19 test kits,” he said.
“The supplies will arrive in a day or two,” he said, adding, “hopefully, there would be no panic buying among the community when the new stock arrives.”
He also pointed out that the Government has set RM19.90 as the ceiling price for the test kits, despite the fact that most operators offer the test kits for less than that.
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