The National Police's Food Task Force requests the purchase of a limited number of staples in order to maintain stock amid the Coronavirus or Covid-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, a number of staples include rice, sugar, cooking oil and instant noodles.
Communities are only allowed to buy a maximum of 10 kg of rice, 2 kg of sugar, 4 liters of cooking oil, and 2 boxes of instant noodles. This was stated in a letter number B / 1872 / III / Res.2.1 / 2020 / Criminal Investigation dated March 16, 2020. These provisions took effect from March 17 until the situation is considered to be improving.
The letter was addressed to the chairmen of a number of business associations such as the Indonesian Retailers' Association (Aprindo), the Jakarta Center for Market Traders Cooperatives (Puskoppas), the Association of All Indonesian Provincial Governments (APPSI), and the Market Traders Cooperative Parent (INKOPAS).
The price of some staples also increased due to increased demand. That is due to the panic buying community. However, so far, the Food Task Force has not found indications of price game that make prices of staples jump sharply. Therefore, the Task Force urged people not to panic buying. They make sure the stock of basic commodities is safe and sufficient.