SINGAPORE: Several retail outlets ran out of both N95 masks and surgical masks on Friday

SINGAPORE: Several retail outlets ran out of both N95 masks and surgical masks on Friday (Jan 24), a day after Singapore confirmed its first case of the Wuhan virus on its shores.

A check by CNA showed that masks were out of stock at Guardian and Watsons stores in places like Paya Lebar Quarter, Clementi Mall and Tiong Bahru Plaza.

Where masks were still available, at Chinatown Point for instance, long queues formed at stores. Customers were also seen snapping up hand sanitisers and thermometers.

While some shops did not know when their next delivery would arrive, having sold out a fresh batch on Friday morning, others said that more deliveries were on the way.

MORE THAN ENOUGH N95 MASKS

The Ministry of Health (MOH) however said in a press conference earlier in the week that there is “more than a sufficient” number of N95 masks if there is a surge in demand.