Ceiling Price For Three-Ply Face Masks Reduced To RM1.20 On Aug 15
Prior to the pandemic, a three-ply face mask only costs 80 sen.
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The government will be lowering the ceiling price for three-ply face masks from RM1.50 a piece to RM1.20 starting August 15, 2020.
With the mandatory face mask rule for public spaces kicking in on August 1, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said that the wholesale and retail prices for face masks will be reduced to RM1.15 and RM1.20, per piece, respectively.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the price of standard three-ply medical grade face masks was set at a mere 80 sen apiece.
The government had previously faced backlash due to the increase but remained firm in its decision.
During the height of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, demand for face masks skyrocketed as global and domestic supplies for the crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) dwindled.
This resulted in some panic buying, among other things, with the government even promising to supply four free face masks to each Malaysian household.
FUN FACT: Around 90% of the country’s supply of three-ply face masks used in hospitals and clinics came from China. So things got pretty hairy during the global economic shutdown.
There were also numerous complaints being made against businesses, individuals, and even a hospital, trying to capitalize on the pandemic by selling masks at higher prices.
This time around, Alexander assured Malaysians that the nation’s supply of masks would be adequate to meet with demand and that the government would continue enforcement to ensure prices are controlled.
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