Sale of face masks goes up
KOTA KINABALU: The sale of face masks has increased as the state capital continues to be shrouded in haze.
Nevertheless, there is no sign of panic buying of face masks yet. Supply of face masks is adequate while pricing remains stable.
Gaya Pharmacy owner Yee That Hian said the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) officers had recently inspected the price of face masks in the market as an anti-profiteering measure.
While the haze situation in Sabah has yet to reach unhealthy level, he said there was a slight increase of customers buying face masks as precaution in the last two days.
Yee, who is also the secretarygeneral of Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), said the face masks at his premises at Gaya Street had sold out earlier as pharmacies usually would not stock up on the product.
Nonetheless, he said his pharmacy was able to replenish the stock swiftly.
The ordinary face mask costs about 80 sen while the N95 mask is RM6 each.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Kota Kinabalu was recorded at 76 at 3pm yesterday, which was moderate level.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 300 and above, hazardous.