THE sales of health and hygiene products, which escalated during the Covid-19 pandemic, is now on a downward trend three weeks after restrictions were eased, said entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to generate income during the pandemic by selling masks, sanitisers, personal protective equipment (PPE) and gloves, said sales have started to decline especially since the easing of restrictions.

Nur Humairah, who sells masks, said business has dropped by at least 30% since the start of the month.

The trader, who sells customised fabric masks and three-ply disposable masks, predicts a further drop in her business in the coming months.

“Now that the government has eased the mask mandate, people are taking things lightly. They think they are safe without a mask.

“I still get orders from my regular customers who are concerned about their health but the demand is not as what it used to be,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

At the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, masks were a precious commodity as its use was compulsory.

Since the number of positive cases had dropped significantly, the Health Ministry announced that the use of masks outdoors would be optional starting May 1.

Humairah said her regular customers had stopped buying masks in bulk from her.

“Usually, they would buy a fabric mask and use it together with a three-ply mask.

“Now, they just wear a fabric mask. So, there is no need for them to buy the three-ply mask,” the mother of one from Rawang, Selangor, said.

Humairah said she is still able to generate some income through orders for weddings, corporate events and birthdays.

“Some couples want special customised masks for their wedding while corporate companies would also order customised masks for events.

Another mask trader, Kristine Lee from Penang, said sales have dropped since the start of the month.

She says despite the country still logging between 2,000 and 3,000 cases daily, people have become complacent.

“I’m saying so based on my sales. Sales had been good previously but now it has declined by some 20-30%,” she said.

Lee, who also supplies masks to a number of shops, said demand has fallen.

“Some shops used to order 10 cartons of 50 boxes each month. Now they don’t even order half the amount,” she added.

A hand sanitiser seller, who only wanted to be known as Haikal, also agreed that sales have dropped.

He said rather than for daily use, people are ordering from him for events.

“Fewer people are buying the 500ml bottles but they want personalised 40ml bottles for events.

“They give their guests in the form of a goodie bag. That is the kind of demand we get now,” he said.

Haikal said a smaller bottle of sanitiser is slightly pricier than a 500ml bottle due to costs incurred in repackaging and personalising the products.  

“The 500ml size we sell in the range of RM8 to RM10 per bottle, while the 40ml size is sold at RM1.50 to RM2 per bottle as we need to repackage and customise it,” he said.

Aiman from Shah Alam, who sells PPE, also admitted to experiencing a drop in sales.

He said the volume of sales at present cannot be compared to that of last year or the year before.

“When Covid was at its peak, most people were afraid, so they were using protective equipment.

“Apart from people working in hospitals, factories and volunteer organisations, even media personnel were buying PPE because they were afraid of contracting the virus.

“Now, we don’t see that fear. People don’t buy these safety gear because they feel they don’t need them,” he said.

Aiman sells complete PPE in sets, as well as isolation gowns.

He said those who currently purchase from him are those who are undergoing isolation at home.

“So, we will have orders to deliver as people are undergoing quarantine and they are living with their families,” he said.

Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Amrahi Buang warned the public they cannot be complacent as the country is still in the transition phase into endemicity.

He urged the public not to let their guard down and to continue taking care of themselves during this crucial period.

“They can’t just ditch the usage of these items, which we call ‘Covid-19-related necessities’.

“They must continue to be vigilant as we are still in the transition phase and we have not overcome the virus.

“If we want to safely move towards endemicity, it must be a whole-of-society approach, where everyone plays their part,” Amrahi told The Malaysian Insight.

He added that moving forward, pharmacies should be ready with Covid-19 packages based on infection categories.

“Patients should be able to contact pharmacies through tele-pharmacy services so that they would be able to get the correct Covid-19 packages based on their infection stages.

“Once they receive the items, they must be able to get virtual consultation from a licensed pharmacist on how to use the items.

“These are important steps in ensuring that we can successfully transit to endemicity,” he said. – May 20, 2022.