Long queues at outlets across Hong Kong selling masks, as panic buying continues amid Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
- Government blamed for only partial border closures with mainland, while authorities accused of not ensuring steady supply of protective gear
- Commerce and Economic Development Bureau says it has met retailers and urged those with shipment issues to contact it for help
Hundreds of people queued up for face masks across Hong Kong on Wednesday amid a shortfall of protective gear in a city gripped by the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
At some outlets of Thai lifestyle chain AbouThai – which has 14 stores citywide – some buyers showed up as early as 7am – five hours before new batches of masks arrived for retailers.
Many accused the government of failing to assuage fears after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced a partial border shutdown with the mainland, instead of a complete closure as suggested by lawmakers and health care workers’ unions.
Hong Kong recorded two more cases of infections after a two-day lull, bringing the local total to 10, while on the mainland, the number of cases has crossed 6,000, with more than 130 deaths.
In a statement, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said it had met members of the retailing and business sectors over the availability of protective products on Wednesday, but did not give updates on the government’s pledge to ramp up supply of surgical masks in the city.
“The government will do everything possible, and through discussing and cooperating with the business sector, increase the supply of protective resources,” it said.