Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has ordered restrictions on the price of surgical masks across the country, after a surge in Covid-19 cases was linked to a shrimp wholesaler in Samut Sakhon on Saturday.
Mallika Boonmeetrakool Mahasook, adviser to the commerce minister, said at a press briefing yesterday that provincial commerce and internal trade offices have been ordered to monitor the price of surgical masks in their area and enforce price control measures ordered by the Commerce Ministry.
Surgical masks will now have to be sold at less than 2.5 baht apiece, she said, adding sellers found overcharging or refusing to sell at the mandated price range face up to seven years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 140,000 baht.
Exports of face masks have also been halted, she said.
Members of the public are encouraged to report non-compliant vendors through the…
