Residents of Chechnya complain about foodstuff price hiking due to panic demand

The foodstuffs recommended by Ramzan Kadyrov in order to strengthen one's immunity and counter the spread of coronavirus are unavailable to many local residents because of high prices, the residents of Chechnya interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after the information about the preventive measures taken in Chechnya against the spread of coronavirus, hype began: residents of the republic began to buy out foodstuffs in large quantities. Ramzan Kadyrov and the Mufti of Chechnya, Salakh Mezhiev, urged them not to rush into panic.

Amid the recent panic sentiments among the population, which resulted in people's actively stocking up on foodstuffs, Ramzan Kadyrov has assured Chechen natives that the republic's authorities are taking all the necessary measures to counter the spread of the coronavirus infection.

In a video posted on March 18 in the "Grozny TV" Instagram public, Ramzan Kadyrov also urged everyone to strengthen one's immunity. "You must drink kyst (a medicinal herb, the root and bark of which are used for treating various diseases in Islamic medicine and Ayurveda, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"), caraway oil, lemon with honey; you should eat garlic, ramson and onion," he has stressed.

Residents of the republic were critical of Kadyrov's recommendations on preventive measures against coronavirus.

"Kadyrov recommends people to eat honey, black caraway oil, kyst, garlic and so on. Does he know how much a jar of honey or black caraway oil cost? In marketplaces, they already sell garlic at a hundred roubles for three heads; and a half-litre jar of honey costs 700 roubles. Not all people have such opportunities as he does. I'd think before giving people such advice," said Kakha, a pensioner.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 19, 2020 at 04:15 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.