Volunteers of the HCMC Department of Tourism prepare face masks for free delivery to tourists. The local market is seeing used disposable face masks being collected for reselling and reuse, which is highly risky, as well as fake hand sanitizers being widely produced - PHOTO: VNA

Speaking at the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s meeting on February 7 to find ways to remove difficulties in the prevention and control of the coronavirus, Tran Huu Linh, head of the General Department of Market Surveillance, said that some individuals have taken advantage of the rapid spread of the virus and the shortage of face masks to collect used masks and resell them on the local market.

It is extremely dangerous to residents’ health if they wear used disposable face masks, the local media reported, citing Linh.

Also, Linh warned of the extensive sales of fake and low-quality hand sanitizers, seeking to take advantage of fears of the coronavirus.

As such, Linh told market surveillance agencies nationwide to expand their inspections to promptly handle violations.

At the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh asked market surveillance forces to thoroughly inspect and tighten control over the production of low quality face masks and medical equipment.

Minister Anh said that collecting used face masks to resell will harm residents’ health. Therefore, he told the General Department of Market Surveillance to collaborate with the relevant departments and agencies to instruct residents to destroy disposable face masks and medical tools that were previously used.

Regarding the market price movements, Linh said that the price hike of face masks and hand sanitizers has been placed under control. SGT

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