THE government may ban the export of masks to overcome the shortage in the country, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Linggi.

He said a decision would be made in the next few days.

Linggi said a ban is one of the options the government is “seriously looking into” to overcome shortages and control profiteering on essential items needed to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

“We are looking into a ban as there is a serious shortage of masks in the country,” he told reporters after inspecting a supermarket in Kuching after a social media posts yesterday of panic-buying in the city went viral.

The post came as the state announced the first three confirmed cases of the flu-like disease that has killed thousands worldwide.

Linggi dismissed the social media post, saying the unusually large number of shoppers at the supermarket was due to a sale.

He said his ministry has received many complaints of profiteering by manufacturers and retailers on essentials like masks and hand sanitisers.

“We had several meetings about it (the complaint) and are looking into the issue seriously.

“We are aware of people taking advantage of the situation and making big profits out of it.”

He said the priority is ensuring enough supply, and his ministry is considering to allow masks be sold at a higher price.

“We may, if it guarantees supply. Public protection is more important now,” he said.

There are reportedly four mask manufacturers in the country, all in the peninsula.

One fulfils government hospital contracts, while the other three mainly export theirs.

Sarawak today confirmed another six new positive cases of the Covid19, bringing the total in the state to nine.

Four of the new cases are from Kuching and two from Limbang.

All are participants of the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, from February 27 to March 1.

The State Disaster Management Committee has said they have so far managed to track down 311 participants in the state.

The committee believe there may be more. – March 14, 2020.