(Yicai Global) Jan. 23 -- After the authorities in the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan have suspended public transport to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, many residents began hoarding daily necessities and some chose to work from home, while others had to go in to work.

How the people of Wuhan are coping with the lockdown is a matter of great concern. Yicai Global spoke to a few of them.

Avoid Going Out

Many locals are choosing not to venture out. "My family is not going out," a male resident surnamed Qiao said.

A woman bought three shopping trollies of goods worth more than CNY2,000 (USD289) at a supermarket this morning, mostly foodstuffs such as vegetables and meat. "I'll stay home," she said. "I hope daily necessities will be in sufficient supply and the epidemic will be brought under control soon."

Another woman has been at home for several days, buying food on e-commerce platforms. She said she had to wait just about an hour to receive delivery of the products she bought yesterday morning, but was told to wait until after 9.00 p.m. for her second order late yesterday.

In response to online rumors that some supermarkets had raised vegetable prices in the city, Yicai Global contacted Wushang Supermarket and learned that the extremely expensive Chinese cabbages, as rumored online, are actually a pricey organic washed variety which has been selling for more than CNY10 (USD1.44) per kilogram. The price has not been hiked.

Supermarkets are focusing on ensuring supply and keeping prices from fluctuating too much. "Wuhan is in lockdown, and it is understandable that vegetables are more expensive," a representative for Wushang said.

Drug Bestsellers

Yicai Global also visited several well-known drugstores in downtown Wuhan today. Pharmacy staff said they had received more customers than usual, and they mostly bought protective articles, preventive medicines and infrared thermometers. Protective masks and gloves have been sold out, they added.

All medical institutions and hospitals are in urgent need of N95 masks, goggles, protective clothing, and plastic gloves, a front-line doctor at a medical center in Wuhan said, adding that items medical centers generally need a year to use are now running out in less than an hour.

However, the Wuhan epidemic headquarters announced today that there is sufficient supply of commodities, food and medical protective gear, urging the public not to panic and not to hoard such items.

Office Beckons

Fewer people were out today, a woman who went to her office today told Yicai Global. "But around 20 percent to 30 percent of them were not wearing masks. Some people did not have enough awareness to protect themselves, which worried me a lot," she said.

She works at an internet firm. More than 100 employees, including her, should be working during the Spring Festival holiday, but the company just held a meeting and decided to let staff work from home to prevent infection, she said this morning.

Some companies have given their staff longer a holiday. "Our branch has been told to close today. I am now at home," an employee of a Wuhan bank told Yicai Global.

A civil servant surnamed Bu, however, will have no rest during the Spring Festival holiday. He was scheduled to be on duty for only one day during the holiday but after the pneumonia outbreak, it will be a 12-hour each day shift for him. Unlike the general public, who can avoid going out, civil servants must stay in offices, public management areas and even some hospitals wearing protective gear.

The suspension of public transport won't affect him because he has his own vehicle, Bu said, adding that his colleagues can take a taxi or use car-hailing services.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Peter Thomas