GUWAHATI: Concerned with the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) people in Assam have started taking precautions.
People have started purchasing and stocking two basic things, the protective face mask and hand sanitizers. Both these are fast vanishing from the shelves of the pharmacies in Assam.
But the irony is, the pharmacies in Assam are filled with masks imported from China. Moreover, keeping with the demand the pharmacies are charging high rates. These Chinese masks have raise doubts in the minds of the citizens of whether it would be safe to use them.
Another dilemma is the masks don’t have the MRPs mentioned in the package. The pharmacies are taking advantage of this and charging whatever they feel like.
According to reports masks are available in the range of Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000 in the state. Pharmacies, on the other hand, are complaining that they are going low on the supply of masks and sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers that have been recommended are almost not to be found.
In India, as per latest government data, a total of 31 persons have tested positive for the COVID-19. The scare in Assam is because of a lone American traveller who has been tested positive for COVID-19 in Bhutan. This traveller had also stayed for over a week in Assam and travelled to various places.
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