Seoul Gangseo-gu Publishes Website with Mask Sales Information for Over 230 Pharmacies

Published 13 Mar.2020 09:12(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) will disclose the public supply mask sales pharmacies and their sales hours in the district in advance on its website.

Although the government has implemented the ‘Mask 5-Day Rotation System’ selling masks on specific days of the week to somewhat resolve the mask purchase chaos, complaints are flooding in because it is difficult to know the exact pharmacies and sales hours.

In particular, some autonomous districts have proposed various self-help measures, such as having all pharmacies sell masks at unified times, but complaints continue to be raised.

After close consultation with the Gangseo-gu Pharmaceutical Association, the district decided to notify the time pharmacies receive masks and start sales in advance rather than selling at a unified time.

Therefore, starting from the 13th, the district will accurately identify the arrival times and possible sales hours of public supply masks at about 230 pharmacies in the area and disclose this information on its website.

Citizens eligible to purchase masks on specific days according to the Mask 5-Day Rotation System can check the pharmacies and sales hours by clicking ‘Gangseo-gu Public Mask Sales Locations Guide’ on the Gangseo-gu Office website.

A district official said, “We hope that providing information on public supply mask sales will reduce citizens’ inconvenience,” and added, “We will do our best to ease the difficulties citizens face in purchasing masks.”

The district is supporting masks for welfare facilities and daycare users and workers, where there is a high risk of group infection.

First, 15,642 masks and 530 disinfectants were supplied to 60 facilities for the disabled and related organizations, and 4,000 masks were provided to 51 elderly care and living facilities.

Additionally, to ensure the safety of children who have weak immunity and are highly exposed to infectious diseases, the district plans to support mask and cleanser purchase costs worth 71,262,000 KRW for 374 daycare centers in the area.