Singaporeans Snap Up 5 Million Masks In Hours Amid Global Shortage

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SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The five million masks which the Government released to retailers over the past nine days were "snapped up in hours", Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (Jan 30)
Wong, who is co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling the spread of the Wuhan virus here, said that this had happened despite retailers limiting sales to one box per customer
Even after the masks were gone, people continued to give feedback that they needed masks but were unable to get any for themselves, Wong said at a press conference
"The current rate of consumption of masks in Singapore is not sustainable... especially with the global shortage and the likely export bans," he said
He added that places like Taiwan have already banned exports of masks, and Singapore must be prepared that more may follow suit
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, who was also at the press conference, said that many producers around the world are prioritising China as it is the epicentre of the current situation
There are also other healthcare needs around the world, such as the bushfires in Australia, he said
He added: "We cannot assume our supply lines are unconstrained or unaffected by the competition from others who are taking action to secure their own supply lines."Noting that "the vast majority" of Singaporeans are remaining calm, Chan said that there are nonetheless some here who have taken to hoarding supplies
Calling such behaviour "selfish" and "not appropriate", he said: "Prepare for the long haul but never, never succumb to short-term fears and panic buying and hoarding behaviours, because this will destroy the entire system we have."The Government is currently sourcing for new mask suppliers and ramping up supplies from traditional sources
It will also take action against profiteers who have been reselling masks at a higher price
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will be sending letters to retailers and e-commerce platforms which have been selling masks at high prices, asking for an explanation
MTI has powers under the Price Control Act to penalise those who set excessive prices on certain goods
For a first offence, a person convicted under the Act may be fined up to S$2,000, jailed up to two years, or both. Corporate bodies may be fined up to S$10,000 on a first offence
Wong said that there will be a sufficient supply of masks in Singapore, provided everyone uses them responsibly
This means only wearing masks when one is unwell and needs to see a doctor
If used in this manner, the four masks given to each household should be sufficient, as more may be made available for families with members who fall ill
"This is not a set of masks for us to take, open immediately, use it to go to the hawker centre. These masks are to be kept in the household for members of our families who might get ill and need to access medical help," said Chan
He added: "We must all act in unison and not jeopardise the entire system by doing things that we think might benefit and protect ourselves, to the detriment of all else and everyone else in society." - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

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