Vientiane police crack down on fake masks 

Vientiane police last week confiscated 50 cartons with 2,500 boxes of fake masks and detained two Vietnamese men who were transporting the goods in a pickup truck.

The Vientiane Public Security Office reported that police found the fake masks when they stopped and searched a Hyundai pickup truck.

Police detained the two Vietnamese men, who were living in Vientiane, for questioning and launched an investigation to identify other people involved in the ring dealing in fake masks. 

Masks are part of the essential equipment for helping prevent the spread of Covid-19. The government is paying attention to cracking down on illegal and fake masks and other equipment as part of efforts to prevent the virus.

The public has complained about masks being sold at unreasonably high prices, ranging from 160,000 kip to 200,000 kip for a box of 50 masks. Most of the masks are being sold online.

The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, in cooperation with the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Health and Public Security, is now conducting inspections at the shops and monitoring social media to identify people who sell masks at high prices. It is also acting on information from the public. 

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce gave the go-ahead to Viengthong Pharma and CBF Pharma companies to distribute affordable face masks in Vientiane and several provinces as the demand for them has increased amid the Coronavirus outbreak.

A total of 5,000 boxes are being distributed  by Viengthong Pharma and CBF Pharma, and authorities have set a price ceiling of 50,000 kip a box or 1,500 kip per face mask, according to the ministry’s announcement on March 31.

Customers will be limited to one box per person, and they will have to show their ID card or family record book at the time of purchase.

Under the arrangements, Viengthong Pharma is responsible for supplies in the capital and Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Phongsaly provinces, while CBF Pharma is handling supplies for Vientiane (1,300 boxes) and Savannakhet (300 boxes) and Champassak provinces (900 boxes).

The announcement also urged people to call the hotline number 1510 if anyone is found selling masks for more than 50,000 kip a box.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update April 7, 2020)