武漢新型冠狀病毒肺炎疫情嚴峻，戴口罩已成抗疫防線。連日來香港市民為搜購口罩到處奔波，鄰近香港的澳門，其衞生局早已宣布持有澳門居民身份證或外勞藍卡的人士，可到政府聯線轄下54間藥房，以成本價8元每次買10個口罩，保證人人有罩用。但香港政府對市面缺乏口罩供應情況只知而不行，並沒有積極為市民提供購買口罩的途徑，連建制派議員也批評政府不作為。
昨日農曆年假過後首天，已有數以千計市民在不同地區到處撲口罩，市民為求一罩，不惜冒寒通宵排隊搶購，各處日用品連鎖店均大排長龍，但由於求過於供，大部份市民最後亦只能失望而回。
不少店舖因應市民需求，近日相繼返貨。有誤報日本城今日有貨，大批市民到商舖查詢均失望而回。
個别藥房仍有少量貨，但價錢暴升十多倍發瘟疫財。銅鑼灣時代廣場對面的時富大藥坊50個一盒口罩賣500元。附近手機店有寄賣口罩，600元45個。
卓悅連鎖店在面書Facebook表示，今日中午12時就有日本口罩補貨，每人限買一盒，每盒$55，數量有限，先到先得，此外，酒精搓手液亦返貨，每人限買2支，地點是銅鑼灣、旺角及尖沙咀的卓悅分店。
早上10時銅鑼灣渣甸坊5號的卓悦已有數百人排隊，等候正午12時開門，龍尾伸延至利園二期。中午卓悅開門後，該韓國高規格口罩迅速售罄。
【2月1日更新】1月31日報道，「卓悅連鎖店在面書Facebook表示，今日中午12時就有日本口罩補貨，每人限買一盒，每盒$55」，查實為1月30日消息。以上報道已作適當更新，不便之處，表示遺憾。
Unscrupulous Shops Raise Price after Long Lines for Masks Citywide
The epidemic of Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread, making mask wearing an essential defense. For the past few days, Hong Kong citizens rushed around to search for masks, and Macau, which is close to Hong Kong, has already announced that those who hold Macao resident ID cards or foreign workers blue cards can buy from 54 pharmacies under the government link 10 masks for $8 at a time to ensure that everyone has a mask. However, the Hong Kong government does nothing to facilitate the public to buy masks at a reasonable cost. Even pro-establishment legislators have criticised the government for inaction.
Yesterday, the first day after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of citizens searched for masks everywhere in different districts. In order to buy masks, citizens lined up overnight ouside chainstores with supplies. However, owing to overwhelming demand, most in the end went away with disappointment.
There are sporadic availability of masks. Some pharmacies still have small quantities, but the price of masks has soared more than 10 times. A box of 50 masks from Sifoo Pharmacy opposite Times Square in Causeway Bay sells for $500. There are consignment masks at the nearby mobile phone shop, 45 for $600.
Bonjour chain store stated on Facebook that there will be replenishment of Japanese masks at noon today. Each person is limited to 1 box 50 masks at $55, limited quantity, first come first served. In addition, hand sanitisers are limited to 2 per person. Available at the Bonjour branches in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
At 10 am, hundreds of people have lined up at Bonjour, 5 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay, waiting for the door to open at noon, and the queue extended to Lee Garden Two. After opening at noon, the higher-end South Korean masks made available were quickly snapped up.
[1 Feb Update] It was reported on 31 January that “Bonjour chain store stated on Facebook that there will be replenishment of Japanese masks at noon today. Each person is limited to 1 box 50 masks at $55.” Based on subsequent investigation, the information is actually for 30 Jan. The above report has been updated appropriately. We regret any inconvenience caused.
