Prices of different types of face masks, handwashes and sanitisers have unusually increased due to higher demand a day after confirmation of first three cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
After getting the news of coronavirus confirmation, panicked people started thronging shops of these items and sellers are also demanding the prices of these products as high as they can in the city.
However, experts are discouraging people to refrain from using face masks as it is unnecessary for coronavirus prevention and creating panic among others.
During a visit to several markets of the city, the reporter found that the sales of different types of normal and surgical face masks has increased and the prices of these supportive materials were also hiked abnormally.
Rashedul Islam, a salesperson of face masks in the city's Paltan area, said that the prices of different types of face masks had witnessed a hike on the first week of February this year."
"But after the confirmation of coronavirus cases on Sunday, the prices have gone uncontrolled just within few hours,” he added.
Price of a normal face mask was Tk 20 on Sunday evening. But sellers were demanding Tk 70 for this mask on Monday.
People were buying some types of masks at Tk 30 to 50, which were sold at Tk 10 on Sunday.
Prices of quality face masks were Tk 25 to 90 a month ago. On Monday, prices of such masks reached Tk 120 to 450.
A young boy, Rofiqul Amin who came to buy surgical mask, told the FE that sellers demanded Tk 1200 for a box of 50 pieces of mask. But the price of such box was Tk 250 few days ago.
Many other people also supported Rofiqul's claim.
Owners and salespersons of medicine shops told the reporter that their stocks of these protective items are not sufficient to meet the huge demand.
Raihan, a salesman at the city’s Gulshan area, said many people have collected these products as many as they can on Sunday night.
"For this reason, the customers who came on Monday have to return home empty handed. Supply is also low comparing to the high demand," he added.
People, however, alleged that some unscrupulous traders are making windfall profit through pushing the prices up due to lack of proper monitoring from the authorities concerned .
Meanwhile, Considering the situation, the High Court on Monday directed the government to operate mobile courts to prevent unusual price hike of the products necessary for coronavirus prevention.
Principal Scientific Officer at the Department of Medical Entomology, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Dr ASM Alamgir earlier told the FE that people should take preventive measures to remain safe from coronavirus outreak and there is no need to be panicked.
IEDCR suggested people to avoid public gatherings and follow the suggestions of World Health Organisation (WHO).
