CORONAVIRUS | Increased public awareness on the threat posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus has led to brisk sales of face masks in Perlis.

Checks at several pharmacies and a 24-hour convenience store around Kangar found that the most premises had run out of stock for the item.

People have begun purchasing face masks after the Health Ministry issued an advisory to use face masks and hand sanitisers, besides refraining from visiting public places or interacting with individuals showing symptoms of the infection.

A pharmacy employee, who only wanted to be known as Salmah, said face masks at the premises had been sold out since yesterday (Sunday).

“I opened the shop at around 10am, and the face masks were sold out in less than two hours.

"Due to the Chinese New Year holidays, I will only place an order for additional stock tomorrow," she told Bernama today.

Meanwhile, non-governmental organisation Perlis Caring Society, in collaboration with a club in Taman Ira Jaya, distributed over 800 face masks to road users along Jalan Kampung Bakau near SK Sena, today.

Its chairperson, Mohd Khomeini Halipah, 38, said the exercise was aimed at encouraging people to wear face masks when outdoors.

- Bernama