HYDERABAD: Prices of face masks have nearly doubled following the scare caused by Omicron variant of Coronavirus. People have also started wearing masks with authorities insisting on people to wear masks in public places. Imposing a ₹ 1,000 fine for not wearing a mask too has re-started.
The price of a three-ply mask, which was retailing at ₹ 90 for hundred pieces, has gone up to ₹ 170. Wholesale prices have also risen. Prasad Rao of Aishwarya Pharma at Sultan Bazar said, “Manufacturers and distributors have hiked the rates after news of Omicron started circulating. Prices of N95 masks have increased by ₹ 10–15 per piece.”
Narendar Kumar of Laxmi Pharma Surgical, stated: “Demand for masks has increased slightly when compared to first and second waves. Even sanitizer rates have shot up. Retailers have stocked up masks. We will know the actual figure of sales in about a week.”
Threat perception has increased among people too after the number of Coronavirus cases in the state started rising over past one week. Authorities, accompanied by police, are imposing a fine of ₹ 1,000 on those not wearing masks in public places.
Many people have also started taking measures to avoid Covid-19, which they had forgotten during the past few months.
