[Report] "Where Did All Those Masks Go?" The 'Mask Shortage' Continues Yesterday and Today with No Relief

On the Morning of the 5th, 'Mask Sold Out' Signs Posted Across Pharmacy Street in Jongno 5-ga
Pharmacists Express Frustration: "Cannot Know Sales Time or Quantity"
Government Prepares Measures to End the 'Mask Crisis'

At around 7 a.m. on the 5th, a pharmacy located in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. A sign on the entrance door states that masks are sold out. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] "When on earth will the mask mandate be lifted? It's really frustrating."

At around 7 a.m. on the 5th, at the pharmacy street in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. On the glass doors of the pharmacies, signs saying "Masks, hand sanitizers, alcohol sold out" were posted everywhere.

Although it was early, customers trying to buy masks repeatedly opened the pharmacy doors only to leave empty-handed.

A woman in her 50s, Ms. A, who bought hand sanitizer instead of a mask, said, "I didn't expect to be able to buy a mask. Since the door was open, I asked just in case about the availability of masks," she lamented.

A man in his 40s, Mr. B, who failed to purchase a mask, said, "I believed the government's claim that buying masks would become easier, but I don't know what time I should come out and line up to buy one," adding, "I'm curious where all those masks have gone," expressing his frustration.

As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surge daily, masks used for infection prevention are experiencing a shortage.

Given this situation, the government announced on the 26th of last month that it would prioritize selling 50% of the daily mask production of 10 million units to public sales outlets such as post offices, Hanaro Mart, and pharmacies to alleviate the mask shortage.

However, there are ongoing criticisms that citizens still face inconveniences due to the possibility that masks may not be supplied at some branches and the inability to know exact sales times and quantities. In fact, there are continued criticisms that the government is not properly responding to the 'mask crisis.'

Around 7 a.m. on the 5th, at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. A sign on the entrance door states that masks are sold out. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

◆ Pharmacists in Jongno 5-ga: "Mask supply quantity is too small; only a few people can buy them"

Pharmacists at pharmacies in Jongno 5-ga unanimously said that the government's public mask supply is not being properly carried out. They pointed out that at least providing information on sales times and quantities would prevent customers from making fruitless trips.

Pharmacist C at OO Pharmacy said, "We receive 50 masks a day. We don't know when or how many come in, and we can't even tell if they come in or not. Many customers come after hearing that public masks are being distributed mainly through pharmacies, but they often leave empty-handed," expressing frustration. He added, "I feel sorry and apologetic for repeatedly telling customers 'I don't know.'"

The situation was similar at other pharmacies. Pharmacist D at △△ Pharmacy said, "If we at least knew roughly when masks would arrive, we could inform customers, but we can't, so I feel sorry," adding, "Even if customers line up and wait vaguely, the supply quantity is so small that only a few can buy masks."

D said, "There were customers who lined up hoping they could buy masks just by standing in line, but now they know they can't, so they don't line up much," and raised his voice, "If the supply procedure is not properly carried out like this, ordinary people won't be able to buy masks."

He continued, "Even if we try to find masks through other distribution channels, everything is blocked," expressing frustration, "We can't get masks except those provided by the government."

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the Cabinet meeting on the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Government prepares measures for 'mask crisis'... adjusting quantities and sales outlets

As the 'mask crisis' continues, the government announced that it will prepare measures that the public can feel.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 5th, "The government is preparing additional measures to increase mask supply and distribute them rationally."

At an emergency Cabinet meeting held at Daegu City Hall that morning, Prime Minister Chung said, "Despite the mandatory public mask supply and export restrictions implemented on the 26th of last month, domestic mask demand is still not being met," adding, "Most citizens are lining up for hours to buy a small number of masks."

Regarding additional supply measures, Prime Minister Chung said, "Masks will be supplied first to medical, quarantine, and safety sites, and the remaining quantity will be distributed fairly to the public," adding, "To this end, we will build a computerized system to prevent duplicate sales and will, in principle, ban mask exports."

He also said that measures will be taken to address unstable mask raw material supply. Prime Minister Chung said, "Manufacturers and sellers of nonwoven fabric for mask filters will be required to report their daily production and sales volumes to the government, and if necessary, the government will adjust quantities and sales outlets."

Prime Minister Chung said, "These additional measures will be implemented starting tomorrow, but no matter how good the policy is, it is meaningless if the public cannot feel its effects," and urged, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and related agencies should prepare so that these measures can deliver the promised effects to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.