New York City Hall Announces Deficit Face Mask: What Does It Mean?

In New York, a shortage of protective face masks was announced. In this regard, stores are prohibited from raising prices for this product, and buyers are advised to leave complaints about dishonest sellers. This is stated in a press release from the Department of Protection of the Rights of Consumers and Workers (DCWP).

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New York mask shortage

Since March 5, a deficit of protective face masks has been officially announced in the Big Apple. On the eve of March 4, said the Commissioner of the Department for the Protection of the Rights of Consumers and Workers Lorelei Salas (Lorelei Salas).

In accordance with the rules of the city of New York (6 RCNY §5-38), the commissioner may temporarily declare a shortage of certain goods in emergency situations, the source said.

The statement about the shortage of masks temporarily prohibits sharp increases in prices for this type of product. After store shelves emptied and prices rose, the city had a responsibility to intervene to prevent price rigging, Salas said. “New York will not help people who care about their health and the health of their loved ones for profit,” the DCWP Commissioner emphasized.

She said that last weekend she personally visited some stores after she heard about excessive prices. “I was charged $ 212 for a box of 10 masks, which is astronomical (sum. - Ed.). This practice is ending,” she said.

While healthy New Yorkers are not recommended to wear masks, they do provide public health benefits in some situations, said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. He added that the pricing of medical products is indeed unfair. “I'm glad the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is taking action to stop this,” he said.

How it will affect stores

Stores selling scarce goods are prohibited from: excessively raising prices, demanding the purchase of a minimum amount of goods, denying consumers equal opportunity to buy goods, or demanding to buy other goods in order to receive scarce products.

DCWP will monitor compliance with these rules by inspecting stores and responding to consumer complaints. Stores intentionally overpricing goods will receive a fine of up to $ 500. The declaration expires after 30 days, but can be canceled or extended by an authorized person, the report said.

Read more at ForumDaily New York.

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