THE Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will look at removing the price controls on masks if there is a shortage of the product, said Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said materials to make the masks are imported from China and Europe and local manufacturers were having difficulty sourcing these items as those countries faced a more severe Covid-19 problem than Malaysia.

Alexander said there are four factories in the country that are working at full capacity to ensure there are sufficient stocks of face masks. 

“So, we have four factories only and they are working full time really to produce the masks,” he told reporters today. 

Alexander said the ministry will look at the possibility of importing masks from abroadand lifting the price control if it will help ease the situation.

“We will look into whatever is useful for the benefit of the people, even if requires lifting (price control),” the minister said at a press conference today. 

He said that the ministry is working on plans to stop exports of masks.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a nationwide movement-control order to take effect tomorrow until March 31 to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

It is the first time the order, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967, will be enforced.

Covid-19 cases rose sharply with 190 new infections on Sunday and 125 yesterday, bringing the nationwide total to 553.

Of the overall figure, 511 patients are in hospital, while the rest have been discharged after making a full recovery. – March 17, 2020.