Starting Tomorrow Afternoon, Masks Sold at Nonghyup and Post Offices... Limited to 5 per Person

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Starting tomorrow afternoon, masks can be purchased at Nonghyup and post offices. Each person can buy up to 5 masks. The government also decided to supply 1 million masks daily to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are rapidly increasing.

On the 26th, the government held a Mask Supply Stabilization Additional Measures Task Force (TF) meeting and made this decision. First, an additional 5 million masks will be supplied, with 1 million masks daily to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, which are struggling due to COVID-19. Additionally, 500,000 masks will be supplied daily to medical institutions and the Daegu Medical Association.

The remaining 3.5 million masks will be distributed as 2.4 million masks to approximately 24,000 pharmacies nationwide. Also, 1.1 million masks will be supplied to 1,400 post offices in eup/myeon areas and 1,900 Nonghyup locations excluding Seoul and Gyeonggi regions.

Purchases will be possible as early as the afternoon of the 27th. Prices will be recommended, including production costs and delivery fees.

Kim Yongbeom, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, stated, "Retailers who do not comply with the recommendations will not receive additional public supply," and added, "We will thoroughly respond to smuggling and illegal exports through customs inspections and on-site checks."