WEMAKEPRICE "Mask Sales Surge 30 Times"

Increase in Mask and Hand Sanitizer Sales Since the First Confirmed Case Occurrence

On the afternoon of the 28th, people arriving from Hangzhou, China, are undergoing quarantine at the quarantine station in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has designated the entire territory of China as a quarantine target contaminated area in relation to the novel coronavirus and has made quarantine and submission of health status questionnaires mandatory for all arrivals.
Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus, known as 'Wuhan Pneumonia,' the purchase of masks and hand sanitizers has rapidly increased. Wemakeprice announced on the 28th that sales of 'KF94 masks' surged about 30 times (3213%) and hand sanitizers about 8 times (837%) during the Lunar New Year holiday period from January 24 to 27 compared to the previous week.

From January 20 to 23, when the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Korea, sales of 'KF94 masks' increased about 2 times (196%) and hand sanitizers also rose about 2 times (192%) compared to the previous week. However, starting from the Lunar New Year holiday period, when the third (confirmed on the 25th) and fourth (confirmed on the 27th) cases were reported, fear of the novel coronavirus infection spread more intensely, causing explosive growth in sales of masks (30 times) and hand sanitizers (8 times). Among masks, the KF94 model sold better than the KF80 model. The KF80 model sales increased about 3 times (349%) during the Lunar New Year holiday period (January 24?27) compared to the previous week.

The KF94 mask is approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and can block 94% of fine dust particles averaging 0.4㎛ in size, effectively filtering out yellow dust, fine dust, and infectious diseases. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends wearing KF94 masks. A Wemakeprice official stated, "We are closely cooperating with our partners to quickly deliver KF94 masks and hand sanitizers to customers."