The former British colony is at the heart of a barely believable affair. After numerous complaints from the population, the Hong Kong authorities launched a vast search operation. The goal? Unearth dishonest merchants selling very poor quality or counterfeit protective masks.
The Chinese coronavirus epidemic is in full swing and Hong Kong is none other than the second most exposed city outside of China after Bangkok (Thailand). A few days ago, Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, decreed the maximum health alert level on the territory. Obviously, the 7 million Hong Kongers quickly rushed to the shops selling protective masks.
According to a local media article South China Morning Post published on January 29, 2020, the epidemic is a way for some disreputable merchants to make a profit. In recent days, many locals have complained on the Internet about the poor quality of masks purchased in some markets. Others mentioned stores selling recycled masks . However, it is difficult to know what this notion of recycled masks really means.
Hong Kong Customs has deployed nearly 200 officers for several days. Their mission? Inspect the various points of sale in the city where protective masks are sold. No less than 180 points of sale of all kinds were checked, namely pharmacies, supermarkets, stalls and other small shops selling basic necessities. According to those responsible for this vast operation, the agents focused on three aspects . The aim was to identify false claims about the origin of the masks as well as non-compliance with safety standards. It was also a question of detecting counterfeits and other false brands.
Customs also say they have communicated with the many customers to help them verify the authenticity of protective masks. Thus, some people had the idea to take advantage of the situation in order to make profit at the expense of the health of the population and the risk of facilitating the spread of the epidemic. It must be said that Hong Kong is facing a shortage of masks and sterilizing products for the hands.
As this report shows, endless queues are forming in the hope of finding these products:
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