The price of mask is surging up to K4,000 per pack of 50 pc in Bamauk city, Katha District of Sagaing Region.
A pack of 50 masks was only priced at K1,300 on 28 June. Following the 54 COVID-19 positive cases among 78 workers in KTV lounge, the price exorbitantly rose to K4,000 per pack.
The masks are sold at K2,100-K2,500 in the Pinlebu, Indaw, Katha and Wuntho townships which are next to Bamauk Township.
Furthermore, the prices of hand sanitizer gel increased from K1,500-K2,500 to K2,500-K3,500 per bottle. There is a shortage of hand gel in the pharmacies.
“A pack of 50 masks were sold at K1,300 as of 28 June. However, the retailers hiked up the price up to K3,500 after the COVID-19 positive cases in the cities. At present, a spike in demand caused the mask price up to K4,000 per pack,” said a seller.
There were more than 200 coronavirus positive cases in Bamauk Township between 29 June and 3 July. Thus, facemasks are mandatory to wear in public areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.—Hlaing Bwa (Bamauk)
