Rawalpindi sees a drop in sanitisers, masks prices after decline in virus cases

Rates of items used for protection from coronavirus return to normal

RAWALPINDI:

The prices of hand sanitisers and other personal protective equipment (PPEs) have slumped in the market following decline in the coronavirus cases in the Rawalpindi district.

The provincial health ministries as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO) had advised the people to frequently use sanitisers along with covering their faces with facemasks to avoid contracting the pandemic virus.

With the Covid-19 breakout in the country, a direct relationship had been established between the prices of the hand sanitisers and PPEs such as facemasks, gloves with the rise in the number of cases.

People became more cautious, the sales of PPEs boosted and thus sold with huge profit margins due to the massive demand as the virus reached its peak in the country.

However, the virus has subsided to some extent and thus, majority of people have stopped using these items.

Several companies have even stopped manufacturing these items that were recently considered necessary to be carried.

During a survey conducted by The Express Tribune on Sunday, the price of a normal quality facemask has returned to Rs10 from Rs20 which had touched the peak level of Rs50 in February.

Similarly, the prices of the N-95 mask, which was deemed to be most effective against the virus, have reversed to normal as well and it is now available in just Rs500 against Rs1,200.

The price of the special mask had surged to Rs5,000 during the pandemic’s peak and gradually came down with a decrease in the number of daily cases.

Further, the rates of hand sanitisers have returned to their original too.

The price of the germ-killer fluid had gone up to a minimum of Rs200 for the smallest size bottle. But, it was noted during the survey that a small sanitiser bottle was now available at Rs50.

The pharmacists in different markets of the city also endorsed contraction in the sales of sanitisers and other safety gear. Generally, people have now stopped using facemasks and gloves at public spots along with discontinuation of using sanitisers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2020.