No Need For Panic Buying 400 000 More Masks To Hit Market

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There has been a shortage of masks with people snapping them up following the Covid-19 outbreak.PUTRAJAYA: The domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry today gave an assurance that there is a sufficient supply of three-ply face masks for the needs of the public to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections
Its minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said the government will purchase ready stocks, amounting to 400,000 masks, from local manufacturers
The strategy to be employed in distributing the masks will be announced to ensure the public does not engage in panic buying
“They (local manufacturers) have agreed to supply face masks and we have identified the number of masks we need,” he said, explaining that he had reported the matter to the Cabinet and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) chairman
Saifuddin said the ministry was also looking at other options, including getting manufacturers to produce more masks and facilitate whatever problems they might have
The ministry will place orders with manufacturers as soon as approval is received from the finance ministry
The minister said subsequent orders would depend on the capacity of manufacturers, with some producers informing the ministry that they could produce 200,000 pieces daily, while others could produce 50,000 to 100,000 pieces per week
Saifuddin earlier attended a dialogue session here between his ministry and industry players on the impact of Covid-19 infections, and suggestions on how to address the situation
Asked if face mask supplies could be received next week, Saifuddin replied: “As soon as possible. I was in communication with the finance minister this morning and we will do it soon.”He explained that the shortage of masks was caused by a spike in demand
On whether the ministry would limit the purchase of hand sanitisers and face masks following complaints of bulk buying, he said such incidents had only taken place in certain states and there was no need for a limit to be imposed
“I prefer to focus on ensuring that there are sufficient supplies with the support of producers,” the minister added
On today’s dialogue session, Saifuddin said the ministry was taking note of the views and suggestions of industry players so that these could be conveyed to the prime minister and finance minister as the government was currently in the process of devising an economic stimulus package to be presented next month.- FMT

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