Just how many is too many facemasks?

Just how many is too many facemasks?

By THE NATION

The Commerce Ministry is asking the Central Committee for Prices of Goods and Services to alert the Department of Internal Trade about anyone found in possession of an excessive quantity of protective facemasks.

Permanent secretary Boonyarit Kanlayanamit on Wednesday (March 4) cited a section of the Prices of Goods and Services Act prohibiting the the stockpiling of controlled goods.

“Violation is punishable by up to seven years in prison or a Bt140,000 fine or both,” he said.

Only manufacturers, sellers, exporters and importers are legally required to report stock quantities to the department, but Boonyarit expects the prices committee to specify “an appropriate amount” of masks for they and others to have in possession.

“It could vary depending on the type of use and the kind operation, such as medical facilities, drugstores, juristic persons, retailers, online sellers and the general public,” he said.

“This will also help verify the quantity each one claims and prevent them from exaggerating. There are online sellers boasting they have over a million masks in stock.”

As of Tuesday, Boonyarit pointed out, all masks manufactured domestically have to be submitted to a specially established administration centre at the ministry. “Previously we only asked for 40-45 per cent of the total, but now all of them have to come through the centre. The ministry will handle their distribution based on necessity.”

Top priority is given to hospitals and other medical facilities, the ministry’s Blue Flag shops, convenience stores and other retailers, in that order.

“Demand has jumped fivefold from the normal 30 million facemasks per month,” Boonyarit said. “We want to urge those who are not at high risk of contracting the virus to use fabric masks instead of disposable ones, because they can be washed and reused and are fairly safe for everyday use.”

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30383344