BANGKOK: The Thai government has approved measures to control the prices of face masks and hand-sanitizing gel after the coronavirus outbreak led to a reported lack of supplies.
A proposal to place the products on the state price control list was approved by the cabinet, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Tuesday (Feb 4).
Businesses that produce or sell goods on the list are required to inform authorities of production costs and seek approval before making price changes.
The proposal was made by the Commerce Ministry after reports of a lack of supply and high prices for the virus-preventing products.
Thai news outlet The Standard reported last week that face masks were sold out at a major Bangkok shopping mall just 15 minutes after being placed on shelves.
The report cited customers from Hong Kong as saying that they were buying face masks to take back to their country where there is also a lack of supplies.
Thai newspaper Thairath reported on Tuesday that face masks were sold out within minutes of hitting the shelves in shops around parts of Bangkok.
Prime Minister Prayut said informing the public about the correct use and disposal of face masks is an important preventative measure to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Thailand has confirmed a total of 25 coronavirus cases. Eight of those infected have been discharged from hospital. - dpa/Asian News Network
A proposal to place the products on the state price control list was approved by the cabinet, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Tuesday (Feb 4).
Businesses that produce or sell goods on the list are required to inform authorities of production costs and seek approval before making price changes.
The proposal was made by the Commerce Ministry after reports of a lack of supply and high prices for the virus-preventing products.
Thai news outlet The Standard reported last week that face masks were sold out at a major Bangkok shopping mall just 15 minutes after being placed on shelves.
The report cited customers from Hong Kong as saying that they were buying face masks to take back to their country where there is also a lack of supplies.
Thai newspaper Thairath reported on Tuesday that face masks were sold out within minutes of hitting the shelves in shops around parts of Bangkok.
Prime Minister Prayut said informing the public about the correct use and disposal of face masks is an important preventative measure to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Thailand has confirmed a total of 25 coronavirus cases. Eight of those infected have been discharged from hospital. - dpa/Asian News Network
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