The Dubai Economy has reiterated its warning against exorbitant price increases to protective face masks in view of escalating demand amid the coronavirus pandemic that continues to rage across the globe.

Authorities on Monday fined at least nine sellers, including pharmacies and other retailers in Dubai for price gouging, following complaints from buyers.

“A repeat offense would result in a doubling of the fines and may lead to the closing down of the outlet,” the Dubai Economy said on its official Twitter account on Monday.

The demand for medical face masks has been skyrocketing since the start of the outbreak, leading some merchants to increase the prices in response. 

Zawya has contacted some pharmacies and suppliers online and found that a box of 50 surgical 3-ply face masks now costs 100 UAE dirhams or more, more than double the price in February. 

At some sellers, the price has tripled or quadrupled, while buyers who prefer to pay per piece has ended up spending more, at 400 UAE dirhams for 50 pieces.

“I used to buy it for 5 UAE dirhams each, then it went up to 8 UAE dirhams each,” said N. Tharaldsen, an expatriate in the UAE.

Sellers who exploit buyers could face a hefty fine of 5,000 UAE dirhams for price gouging. Authorities had earlier imposed fines on offenders in Dubai for a similar offense.

In the latest inspection, the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector of Dubai Economy found nine businesses, including five pharmacies in Al Quoz 1, Al Mizhar, Al Warqa 1 and Al Sabkha, inflating their mask prices. 

Other violators also include a supplier, a supermarket and a trading company.

“The last merchant fined was a factory that sold goods at inflated prices through e-commerce platforms,” the Dubai Economy said.

The CCCP has received complaints from consumers against the traders. 

Early this month, the Dubai Economy rolled out a price monitoring system to track the cost of consumer essentials on a daily basis, to discourage merchants from taking advantage of the pandemic.

As of Monday, face masks should be in the range of 1.6 to 2 UAE dirhams apiece, according to the Dubai Economy.

(Reporting by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)

Cleofe.Maceda@refinitiv.com

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