The Macau government has sold 92 million facemasks since January 23, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced at a regular press conference today.
Officials at the press conference said that the 17th 10-day round of facemask sales will start on Wednesday. As in the previous rounds, each resident and non-resident worker - including children - is entitled to buy 10 masks for 8 patacas (US$1). The government sells the facemasks through designated pharmacies, public health centres and community associations. Facemasks for adults and children are on sale.
Apart from the so-called "government masks", pharmacies and even supermarkets also sell facemasks at commercial prices.
Observers say that close to 100 percent of people in Macau have been wearing facemasks since early this year.
Macau has recorded 46 COVID-19 cases since January 22. A total of 45 patients have meanwhile been discharged from hospital. The Health Bureau (SSM) has classified 44 of the cases as imported, while two cases have been classified as "connected to imported cases."
The local government has also imposed strict travel curbs on visitors.
