Commerce Min to extend controls on essential COVID-19 products by 1 year

Commerce Min to extend controls on essential COVID-19 products by 1 year

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is to propose to the Cabinet that face masks, cleaning alcohol and hand gels remain protected items for another year, in light of the new wave of COVID-19 infections.

Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit stated that the central goods and services committee is controlling medical face masks, artificial fibers, alcohol based hand gels and paper scrap. Protection for the four items was originally to expire on February 3 but approval by the cabinet next week would extend the expiry by another year.

The government recognizes three types of face mask, medical face masks manufactured at 30 Food and Drug Agency registered factories pegged at 2.5 Baht a piece, alternative face masks, both domestic and foreign made, that cannot be marked up by more than 60 percent of their manufacturing cost, and cloth masks, which are not controlled as they are to be used by healthy citizens protecting themselves from COVID-19.

Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade Wattanasak Sueaiam indicated all 30 factories producing medical masks assure they have sufficient materials to meet demand. For public confidence however, the department has asked that they increase production to over 5 million pieces a day and will be keeping a close eye on operations.