BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) — The Belize Government Monday warned “unscrupulous shopkeepers and hardware store owners” against engaging in price gouging as citizens are being urged to prepare themselves for the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

The Office of the Prime Minister, through the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), said it remains vigilant and prepared regarding Hurricane Beryl, a potential threat to Belize.

“We are also aware of a groundswell panic, leading to a rush on grocery stores and other stores selling plywood and other materials. That has led to unscrupulous shopkeepers and hardware store owners raising the prices of their goods,” said NEMO.

The Government said that it wanted to advise “all our citizens to remain vigilant” even as it acknowledged that “Hurricane Beryl is a real potential threat.

“Additionally, we appeal to and caution the business sector. There is never a time to gouge our Belizean public, and certainly not in the face of what may be a devastating natural disaster.

“There will most certainly be repercussions based on reports of gouging. We ask all Belizeans to remain vigilant and monitor the airwaves as Hurricane Beryl makes its way westward into the Caribbean,” said NEMO.

The National Hurricane Centre said that Beryl was expected to move quickly westward to west-north-westward during the next few days.