If you go out and about in Singapore, you’ll see that a lot of people are starting to wear surgical masks as confirmed cases for the Wuhan virus rise.
And if you’re not already one of those people who have 1,000 masks stockpiled at home, this piece of news might just change that:
Several retail outlets like NTUC have run out of both N95 masks and surgical masks.
Horrifying right?
I can feel the inner Singaporean in you demanding to know where’s the nearest place you can camp at 6am to queue for some masks.
Never fear, this is Singapore.
NTUC Bringing in More Masks & Limiting Purchase to 20 Per Customer
According to Channel News Asia, masks were out of stock at retail outlets like Guardian and Watsons stores at Paya Lebar Quarter, Clementi Mall and Tiong Bahru Plaza.
And at places where masks were still available, Singaporeans were spotted doing what they do best: queueing.
Long queues cropped up at the stores for masks while others were scrambling for hand sanitisers and thermometers.
Most shops, however, did not state when the next delivery for masks would arrive.
NTUC FairPrice, which runs Unity pharmacies as well, has indicated that shipment will come this weekend, and there’s a limit of 20 pieces or 1 box of face mask per person.
MOH Says There Are More Than Enough N95 Masks
That being said, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a press conference this week that there is “more than sufficient” N95 masks even if there was an increase in demand.
“The public need not panic. First of all, we don’t need N95 masks for most of the purposes we use the mask for. We also have enough stock within Singapore so there should not be a situation where we anticipate the masks running out at any time,” MOH said.
In addition to that, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong also assured the public that our sunny island has “plenty” of surgical masks.
The minister took to Facebook and said, “We have been pushing stocks to the retailers, and they are progressively restocking their shelves.”
“We are monitoring the situation closely, including the inventories of the retailers, and will ensure there is ample supply to meet demand,” said Mr Wong.
He also said that there was no need to stock up or panic buy.
