• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Thailand and Taiwan cut down exports of face masks to overseas; Singapore not issuing any ban on the exports of face masks yet

by Aldgra F.
24/02/2020
in Current Affairs
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0

Thailand’s government has imposed a ban on exports of face masks to ensure sufficient domestic supply in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Central Committee for Prices of Goods and Services announced on 21 February.

Director-general of Internal Trade Department Wichai Phochanakit said that previously exporters were required to get permission from the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) for the export of 500 masks or more, however, some businesses have been dividing their shipments to less than 500 masks per shipment to avoid asking permission from the DIT.

Following that, the central committee has banned the outbound shipment of face masks which took effect immediately, Bangkok Post reported.

Those who have a large number of face masks have also been informed to hand in at least 50 per cent of their face masks to the DIT centre for face mask management by 21 February. Mr Wichai claimed that it is to ensure the proper distribution of face masks in the country.

“Anyone found stockpiling surgical face masks after this date (21 February) would be considered as being in violation of the law and face a maximum five-year jail term and/or a maximum Bt100,000 fine,” Mr Wichai noted.

Mr Wichai added that individuals who are traveling abroad can take no more than 30 face masks for their personal use, and only those with a medical certificate can take up to 50 face masks.

Furthermore, neighboring countries in need of face masks are required to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly for their shipment request.

Thailand has reported a total of 35 coronavirus cases so far.

Taiwan extended requisitioning of masks and ban on exports

Taiwanese government announced on 13 February that it will extend the requisition of all domestically-produced face masks and maintain its ban on its export until the end of April, Focus Taiwan reported.

Previously on 24 January, Taiwan issued the ban on the export of disposable surgical masks which purportedly to due by 23 February, and scheduled the government requisitioning of the product from 31 January to 15 February. The measures were implemented to ensure sufficient domestic supply amid the coronavirus outbreak.

All commercial exports of surgical masks are banned, and the people in Taiwan are prohibited from mailing masks overseas. Those who violate the ban will be fined of up to three times the value and their masks will be confiscated.

Vice Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua said the measures will be revoked when the coronavirus situation improves.

Taiwan has confirmed a total of 28 coronavirus cases in the country so far.

Singapore has not issued any ban on exports of face masks

Singapore’s government, on the other hand, has not implemented any ban for the exports of face masks despite the country is being one of the worst-hit countries outside of China with 89 coronavirus cases to date.

In fact, the demand for masks was so dire that most retail stores were out of stock by mid-January, just after the first couple of imported cases were confirmed in the country.

The government has released more than five million to retailers, but they were “snapped up in hours” each time a batch of these were put up for sale over the past nine days, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said during a press conference on 30 January.

Following that, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said at a press conference on 30 January that the country has enough face masks if the supply is managed “appropriately”.

The minister highlighted the three factors that determine whether there are sufficient masks in the country, which include the quantity of face masks in the physical stockpile, the usage rate, and the resupply quantum and frequency.

“We will have enough if we manage these three factors appropriately,” Mr Chan asserted.

During his meeting organized by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Mr Chan claimed that no amount of masks will be adequate if everyone in Singapore starts using it every day.

He explained, “If every Singaporean uses a surgical mask, one day we will burn five million masks, if not more. Since we don’t know how long we got to fight this war and the supply line has [been] cut already, [we must] conserve the surgical mask to make sure our medical system can still work.”

Mr Chan further explained that the government’s move to hand out four masks to each of Singapore’s 1.37 million households on 1 February was for them to use in case they needed one but are unable to purchase a mask at retailers.

“This is not a set of masks for us to take, open immediately, use it to go to the hawker centre. These masks are to be kept in the household for members of our families who might get ill and need to access medical help,” said Mr Chan.

Cases of masks being exported out of Singapore

As there was no ban being issued on the export of face masks in Singapore, there have been several cases of face masks being exported out of the country.

On 2 February, Chinese singer Hu Haiquan, who is part of the soft-rock-duo named Yu Quan, has reportedly sent 160,000 face masks from Singapore to China in two batches.

According to a Weibo post by Haiquan Fund, he was spotted at Changi Airport with 40 boxes filled with approximately 80,000 pieces of masks to be delivered to those in need in his native country, China.

There were also 10 families boarding the same flight who helped Hu check-in several luggage bags filled with more masks.

In addition, Singapore girl group By2 posted on Weibo on 2 February about stocking up on medical supplies in Singapore for China amid the Wuhan coronavirus outbreaks.

By2 posted a photo that captioned, “…We promised to meet up after the competition, scour the shelves in Singapore and stock up on supplies. Hope that we can do our part to defeat the outbreak! #FirmlySupportingChina”.

Although they did not mention where the supplies will be sent to, 8 Days reported on 5 February that the supplies will be sent to Wuhan, China.

TOC also reported about the people who originated from Wuhan, China, bought 240 boxes of masks and other relief supplies to be delivered to their families and friends back home. The masks arrived in Shanghai in the early morning of the third day of Chinese New Year.

Based on the reports, those who sent the masks to China from Singapore did so with documents prepared by the Hubei Provincial People’s Government. The masks were dispatched to Wuhan city from Shangai.

There were also other nationalities who shipped back face masks to their own countries as observed in a Facebook post, showing monks from Sri Lanka checking in boxes of masks at Changi Airport.

https://web.facebook.com/112035193550571/videos/187164952371531/

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Myanmar town pleads for help as thousands flee fighting
Myanmar

SAC-M calls for a step-up on support for Myanmar’s democratic movement

01/02/2023
Tourism arrivals and tourism receipts to remain weak in 2021 despite development of vaccines: STB
Singapore

SG scores 5th as least corrupt country but its ranking dropping – illicit financial flows through SG

01/02/2023
They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation
Labour

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

01/02/2023
38-year-old Indian mother who has her two kidneys “stolen”, deserted by husband
Crime

38-year-old Indian mother who has her two kidneys “stolen”, deserted by husband

01/02/2023
Can we trust the words of prosecutors, police officers, civil servants and their witnesses at face-value?
Opinion

Can we trust the words of prosecutors, police officers, civil servants and their witnesses at face-value?

01/02/2023
Myanmar junta prepares for poll, raising fears of more bloodshed
AFP

Myanmar marks coup anniversary with eyes on junta election plan

01/02/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Myanmar town pleads for help as thousands flee fighting

SAC-M calls for a step-up on support for Myanmar’s democratic movement

01/02/2023
Tourism arrivals and tourism receipts to remain weak in 2021 despite development of vaccines: STB

SG scores 5th as least corrupt country but its ranking dropping – illicit financial flows through SG

01/02/2023
They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

01/02/2023
38-year-old Indian mother who has her two kidneys “stolen”, deserted by husband

38-year-old Indian mother who has her two kidneys “stolen”, deserted by husband

01/02/2023
Can we trust the words of prosecutors, police officers, civil servants and their witnesses at face-value?

Can we trust the words of prosecutors, police officers, civil servants and their witnesses at face-value?

01/02/2023
Myanmar junta prepares for poll, raising fears of more bloodshed

Myanmar marks coup anniversary with eyes on junta election plan

01/02/2023
No update on Karl Liew’s criminal hearing for providing false evidence against Parti Liyani

No update on Karl Liew’s criminal hearing for providing false evidence against Parti Liyani

01/02/2023
Record jobs growth in 2022, but no breakdown of the foreign and local workers in the workforce and jobs growth

Record jobs growth in 2022, but no breakdown of the foreign and local workers in the workforce and jobs growth

01/02/2023

Trending posts

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

by Yee Loon
30/01/2023
19

...

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
41

...

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

by Yee Loon
26/01/2023
24

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
67

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
58

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
28

...

February 2020
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829  
« Jan   Mar »

The Online Citizen is a regional online publication based in Taiwan and formerly Singapore’s longest-running independent online media platform.

Navigation

  • Editorial
  • Commentaries
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Community

Support

  • Contact Us
  • Letter submission
  • Membership subscription

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

wpDiscuz