"Mask Purchase 5-Day Rotation System Settled... Sales Information Provided at 100 Places Including Apps"

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] The government evaluated that the public mask purchase system based on birth year, including the 5-day rotation system and the limit of 2 masks per person, implemented amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is stabilizing steadily with the cooperation and consideration of the public.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and related ministries on the 23rd, the supply of public masks increased from 48,472,000 units in the second week of March, when the 5-day rotation system based on birth year was fully implemented, to 53,983,000 units in the third week. The supply per pharmacy was 100 units per day before the 5-day rotation system was implemented, but it was expanded to a maximum of 400 units from March 9.

The government has disclosed public mask sales data since the 10th, and private sectors have also launched mask applications (apps) utilizing the data. The Ministry of Science and ICT confirmed that since the disclosure of public mask sales data this month, more than 100 services have been providing sales information.

Citizen developers such as students and the general public, as well as startups, participated from the initial planning stage to rapidly develop information services. Domestic portal companies such as Naver and Kakao, as well as cloud companies including KT, NHN, Koscom, and NBP, are also providing necessary resources such as map data and development tools free of charge. Additionally, 18 local governments including Busan Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangnam-do are providing mask sales information services for local residents.

According to a survey by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the proportion of pharmacies that sold out of public masks was 67.9% on the 10th, before the sales data was provided, but surged to 86.4% on the 21st. This is interpreted as a result of more people purchasing masks by visiting pharmacies with stock after the related data was disclosed.

Meanwhile, on the same day, related ministries announced supplementary measures such as expanding the proxy purchase scope for citizens who find it difficult to visit pharmacies directly. From this day, pregnant women and disabled veterans among national veterans can also make proxy purchases. Furthermore, from 0:00 on the 24th, the 'once a week · 2 masks per person' purchase standard will be applied, allowing up to 8 masks per month (based on the same recipient) to be sent to family members living overseas.

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