'Mask for Droplet Blocking' First Sale Causes Server Crash... But No Mask Shortage (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] On the 5th, the first sale of droplet-blocking masks caused the server of the only purchase channel, Wellkips online mall, to crash as consumers flocked to buy. However, with tens of millions of disposable masks to be released at large supermarkets this weekend and an increase in droplet-blocking mask supplies starting next week, it is expected that people will no longer have to line up again to buy masks.

On the first day of selling droplet-blocking masks on the 5th, Wellkips Mall, a mask manufacturer, started sales at 9 a.m., but the site became inaccessible due to traffic overload. Wellkips is selling a total of 200,000 droplet-blocking masks at 500 won each, limited to 10 packs (30 masks) per person. Interest in droplet-blocking masks had been high even before their release due to the recent hot weather.

Droplet-blocking masks have a particle blocking performance of about 55?80% based on KF standards and are thin like dental masks (surgical masks), making them easier to breathe through than regular masks. Especially with the recent reopening of elementary, middle, and high schools, parents who find it uncomfortable for their children to wear masks indoors for long periods have shown strong demand for purchasing thinner masks.

Although the site became unresponsive due to the rush of people, a "mask crisis" is not expected. Companies such as Geonyeong Cleantech, Finetek, and KM, which have been approved as quasi-drugs by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, plan to start sales next week, and large supermarkets will also sell tens of millions of disposable masks over the weekend.

Emart’s warehouse-style store Traders will sell a box of 50 disposable masks (large/small) starting from the 6th at 15,980 won per box. These are three-layer disposable masks including MB filters, with a unit price of 320 won per mask. They will be sold at 18 Traders stores nationwide, with 700 to 1,000 boxes supplied daily to each store. The purchase quantity is limited to one box (50 masks) per person.

Lotte Mart, considering the increased demand for breathable disposable masks during the heatwave, will sell a total of 2 million domestically produced masks over two days this weekend at around 500 won per mask. The purchase limit per person varies by branch. GS Retail will hold a 1+1 event on three types of disposable dental masks starting from the 6th at convenience store GS25, supermarket GS The Fresh, and health & beauty store Lalavla. The event will continue until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.