Egypt's cabinet has denied rumours that prices of protective facemasks and disinfectants have increased due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic that has been hitting the country. The medical supplies available in the market during the second wave are being offered at lower prices, compared to the first wave, especially after setting up new production lines, the cabinet's media centre said in a statement on Wednesday, after communicating with the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, the country's drug supply body. The statement added that the country has a strategic stock of facemasks and disinfectants that can meet citizens' needs for the several coming months. Egypt already has about 180 production lines, with a production capacity of about 50,000 masks per line, which is equivalent to about 9 million facemasks per day, according to the statement. The statement added that the country allowed imports and opened new factories for manufacturing masks to help cut the prices. Fabric masks were also supplied by the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trading. The cabinet assured the continuity of inspection campaigns on pharmacies and markets for any price gouging. Egypt officially announced the start of the second coronavirus wave on 23 December. Four days later, the cabinet imposed a 50 EGP fine for not wearing masks in public.
