Prime Minister and Chair of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Silveria Jacobs has announced the establishment of maximum prices on certain consumer goods in connection with the coronavirus threat (see related story). Mentioned are products on the natural disaster list used in the event of hurricanes plus specific ones to prevent the spread of COVID-19, namely latex and silicone gloves, hand sanitiser, N95 facemasks, disinfecting wipes and sprays as well as rubbing alcohol (70 per cent).
The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) is said to have conducted and completed its review of existing prices on the market and obtained relevant information to set the limit. Details are not yet known, because the Ministerial Decree to regulate this matter still needs to be passed later this week, after which it will go into immediate effect and is to be posted on government’s website.
Some wonder whether this move doesn’t come too late, as several of the items referred to are reportedly already scarce not just locally, but at a global level. Concerns over availability might exceed those regarding their cost and in Curaçao they are even considering restricting the amounts that may be bought per person.
Due to the worldwide run on these products their prices are bound to rise internationally and could make it difficult for local distributors, wholesalers and retailers to respect the limits without taking a loss. The stated intention is to periodically review the list, but experience must show how that works in practice.
As usual, the proof of the pudding will be very much in the eating.
