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KUALA LUMPUR: The government has fixed new ceiling prices for face masks to ensure that there is enough supply during the ongoing two week-long Movement Control Order (MCO) aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the prices were fixed after the ministry took into consideration a spike in the cost of imported materials used to produce face masks.
In a statement, Nanta said the ceiling prices were gazetted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Price) Order 2020, on Mar 20.
The new ceiling prices for face masks are as follows:
1 ply (ear loop) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM5 per box
Retail price: RM7 per box
2 ply (ear loop) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM8 per box
Retail price: RM10 per box/ 20 sen per unit
3 ply (ear loop/head loop/head tie-on) face mask (surgical/medical)
Wholesale price: RM75 per box/RM1.50 per unit
Retail price: RM100 per box/RM2 per unit
N95 face mask (surgical medical)
Wholesale price: RM100 per box
Retail price: RM6 per unit
Nanta added that with the new ceiling prices, all four face mask manufacturers in the country, as well as importers of the items, could increase supply for domestic consumption as Malaysia combats Covid-19.
He also said that the ministry banned the export of face masks as gazetted under the Customs (Prohibition of Export) (No. 2) Order 2020 under the Customs Act 1967 on Mar 20.
“Therefore, all export of face masks is not allowed,” Nanta added.
From NST Online Dated 23 March 2020
COVID-19 Related News : Dentists to treat only emergency cases
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s dentists will treat only emergency cases, which includes severe dental infection, while movement control order restrictions are in force.
The Malaysia Dental Association said patients should phone their dentists to seek advice about their needs, and not seek non-urgent treatment.
Fillings and scalings will not be performed, and dentists would reshedule non-urgent or elective cases to a later date, the association said.
Patients are urged to seek treatment for the following emergencies:
severe oral facial pain and toothache not controllable with medication; * oral-facial-dental trauma;
uncontrollable bleeding;
dislodged crowns, bridges, fillings, orthodontic (braces) accessories; and
fractured dental appliance or dentures
“Please call your dentist to discuss your dental needs if you require further information and clarification.”
Patients should be honest when declaring their health status, including their travelling history or possible contacts with Covid-19 victims.
The MCO restrictions are in force until March 31 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which has already claimed 10 lives in Malaysia and infected over 1,000.
COVID-19 Related News :
Protect yourself
🧼 Wash your hands frequently
👄 Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
💪 Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
🚷 Avoid crowded places
🏠 Stay at home if you feel unwell - even with a slight fever and cough
🤒 If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early - but call by phone first
ℹ Stay aware of the latest information from WHO
WHO Myth-busters
There is a lot of false information around. These are the facts.
🔢 People of all ages CAN be infected by the coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
❄ Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the coronavirus.
☀ The coronavirus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
🦟 The coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
🐶 There is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the coronavirus.
🛀 Taking a hot bath DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus
💨 Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the coronavirus
🟣 Ultraviolet light SHOULD NOT be used for sterilization and can cause skin irritation
🌡 Thermal scanners CAN detect if people have a fever but CANNOT detect whether or not someone has the coronavirus
💦 Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body WILL NOT kill viruses that have already entered your body
💉 Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, DO NOT provide protection against the coronavirus.
👃 There is NO evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the coronavirus.
🧄 Garlic is healthy but there is NO evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the coronavirus.
💊 Antibiotics DO NOT work against viruses, antibiotics only work against bacteria.
🧪 To date, there is NO specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the coronavirus.
Check the facts on the WHO website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
WHO continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.
It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions. “Affected areas” are considered those countries, provinces, territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in contrast to areas reporting only imported cases.
General recommendations for all travellers include:
🧼 Wash your hands frequently
👄 Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
💪 Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
↔ Stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick
🍗 Follow proper food hygiene practices
😷 Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.
Travellers returning from affected areas should:
🌡 Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and follow national protocols of receiving countries. Some countries may require returning travellers to enter quarantine.
🤒 If symptoms occur, such as fever, or cough or difficulty breathing, travellers are advised to contact local health care providers, preferably by phone, and inform them of their symptoms and their travel history.
For the latest travel advice:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice
For the latest situation reports for affected areas:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
For advice on proper food hygiene practices:
https://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/consumer/en/5keys_en.pdf?ua=1&ua=1
For advice on visiting live animal markets:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus/who-recommendations-to-reduce-risk-of-transmission-of-emerging-pathogens-from-animals-to-humans-in-live-animal-markets
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