Singapore cracks down on bids to profiteer from mask sales

Singapore

TO prevent profiteering from surgical mask sales amid Wuhan coronavirus worries, retailers and e-commerce platforms will be asked to cooperate with the authorities, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing told the media on Thursday. He applauded platforms such as Carousell and Qoo10 for threatening to suspend profiteering sellers.

The government is also changing its method of mask distribution. While the national stockpile will be prioritised for healthcare workers, there will be a one-off distribution of masks to households.

In a separate statement, NTUC FairPrice said that with this move, retailers will no longer be able to draw from the stockpile - which had been one of its sources - but added that it will continue to secure new supplies.

On Thursday evening, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the government's Price Controller has issued a letter of demand to retailer Deen Express, in response to public complaints of sellers selling surgical masks at "grossly inflated prices".

Deen Express must explain "the basis of their selling prices for the sale of masks, including their cost price and profit margins", and MTI will use the information to assess the need for further action under the Price Control Act.

The Price Controller also issued letters to e-commerce platforms Lazada, Carousell and Qoo10 to request for information on any potential profiteers on their platforms. Current listings for surgical masks on these platforms can exceed S$1 apiece, more than four times the usual price in pharmacies and supermarkets.

All the companies must respond to the queries by Monday, Feb 3. Failure to comply may lead to a fine of up to S$10,000 for the first offence, and up to S$20,000 for the second and subsequent offences.

MTI said it will work closely with the Consumers Association of Singapore and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore to monitor the situation and investigate any unfair and anti-competitive practices. Consumers can report errant sellers to CASE at 6100 0315.

The national stockpile ensures sufficient supply "provided we all use them responsibly," said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on Wuhan Coronavirus.

But the current rate of mask consumption here is not sustainable, "especially with the global shortage and the likely export bans that we have to be prepared for", he said. In the last nine days, over five million surgical masks have been released to retailers from the national stockpile.

Mr Wong stressed that masks should only be worn if one is sick and heading to see a doctor. People who are well do not need to wear masks.

To assure Singaporeans that they will have access to masks if required for seeing a doctor, four surgical masks will be given to each of the 1.3 million resident households.

Community centres and residents' committee centres will distribute these 5.2 million masks progressively from Feb 1. These masks should be saved for a situation where a household member is ill and needs to see a doctor, stressed Mr Wong.

"Upon medical assistance, the subsequent need for more masks will be assessed and be provided for," said Mr Chan. He urged Singaporeans not to engage in panic buying and hoarding. The government is working to keep mask supply lines robust and is exploring new suppliers.

Asked if Singapore would consider banning all flights from China, Mr Wong said the situation is evolving and the government takes an evidence-based approach. This was why restrictions were put in place for higher-risk Hubei travellers.

If and when there is a need, with community spread in other Chinese cities or provinces outside Hubei, the government will update measures accordingly and will not rule out tighter travel restrictions, he said.

On Thursday morning, 92 Singaporeans who were evacuated from Wuhan arrived in Singapore. After medical screening at the airport, those with fever or respiratory symptoms will be taken to hospitals for further examination, while the rest will be quarantined for 14 days.

As at 2pm on Thursday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had confirmed three additional cases of the Wuhan virus in Singapore, all of whom are Chinese nationals from Wuhan. This takes the total tally to 13, including a crew member who was working onboard a ship in Singapore waters.