DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The spread of the coronavirus continues to have more cleaning supplies flying off store shelves.
With supplies stretched thin and demand still soaring, the state is now stepping in to make sure you're not being price gouged while shopping.
Mohamed Allam has been staying quite busy in his corner store on Second Avenue in Delray Beach. He says as soon as word spread about the coronavirus, things began to pick up.
"When people heard about the coronavirus, it affected immediately with hand sanitizers. They they need it then wipes. They come in every store," he said.
Allam says he sold out quickly on hand sanitizer, wipes and some disinfecting supplies. When he tried to restock those products, he says it was impossible.
"Whenever we make an order we buy from Sams Club, Nappa Wholesale or other big stores like wholesale when you make your order they don't have it," he said.
With such limited supplies, price gouging is a real concern. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody activated Florida's price gouging hotline, a move that can only be made after a state of emergency declaration. It covers protective masks, gels, hand sanitizers and a variety of cleaning supplies.
Shoppers say they're worried about reports of price spikes.
"I think they shouldn't be doing that. They're taking advantage of the people," one man said.
Allam says he's also in need.
"We don't have any in my house too so we're looking for something to buy in my own house too," he said.
The AG's office so far has had 12 complaints, and they will look into each and every one.
