Masks have been mandatory in public transport and shopping throughout Germany since last week. Many Germans are now wondering: Where can I buy a respirator or face mask? Now it is clear: After the pharmacies, the masks are also becoming scarce in the supermarkets.
According to the federal government, the mask requirement allows the mouth and nose to be covered with a cloth or scarf. But she also advises to use self-made masks. How to make Corona mouthguards yourself – Instructions from the City of Essen
Coronavirus crisis: where can I buy a face mask?
The new requirements present many citizens with challenges – because both Respiratorsthat protect their wearers from the smallest particles and drops, as well as simpler ones Face masksthat protect others from drops from the person wearing the mouthguard are still in short supply in Germany.
Both types of masks are often sold out in pharmacies, while online retailers face high prices for individual mask pieces. “The delivery situation is still tense,” said Reiner Kern, spokesman for the Federal Association of German Pharmacy Associations, to our editorial team. Pharmacies would have to buy the masks themselves, often at high prices. A set with five simple surgical masks for eight euros is currently a price that is reasonable. This is how respiratory masks and mouthguards protect against the corona virus
Even if protective masks with so-called FFP2– and FFP3 standard (they protect the wearer themselves from infection), many pharmacies would not simply hand them over to every customer. That is a priority, said Kern. Medical practices, nursing services or physiotherapists would be preferred.
Consumer advocates warn of scams when selling respirators online. So be on Amazon and Ebay some offer masks at usury prices or of poor quality.
Coronavirus crisis: Lidl has already sold “a large part” of its 14 million masks
The announcement to sell protective masks at cost price has led to a rush of customers in the branches of large retail chains. This is the mask situation for the individual chains:
- Aldi Nord and Kaufland want to consider selling a face mask.
- Last Thursday the Aldi south Disposable mouth-nose masks “at cost price” from 6.99 euros – now the discounter has to admit: “Due to the high demand, the disposable masks were quickly sold out in some branches.” However, further deliveries would be expected in the next few weeks .
- The discounter Lidl reported on Monday that he had already sold “a large part” of the 14 million disposable masks that were put on the market on Thursday. The masks sold at Lidl are available in packs of 50 for 33 euros each. Only one pack is issued per purchase and customer.
- Even the supermarket chain Rewe is already selling masks in some branches – by the end of May, 30 million masks are to be sold in the Rewe stores and subsidiaries penny and Toom bring.
- The supermarket chain real wanted to offer sets with five textile masks each Monday, a spokesman said. The price should therefore be 19.99 euros. From May 11th, a pack of 20 with surgical masks will be available at Real for the same price.
The big ones too Drugstore chains adapt to the mask requirement. At the beginning of the crisis, they had called on their customers to sew masks themselves.
- At dm since April 27th, customers who have not yet had a suitable cover for their purchase have been offered masks for one euro in front of the shops. dm managing director Christoph Werner explained to our editorial team: “The delivery quantity is limited to one piece and is valid while stocks last.”
- The drugstore chain miller said that they have been offering protective masks in their branches for several weeks.
- The drugstore chain too Rossmann reported an “increased demand”. The company is working very hard to ensure that supplies are available nationwide.
Read here:
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Corona crisis: face masks in retail – little chance of success
Even with the Hardware stores respiratory masks are partially available again. The Hornbach-Kette offers about 50 disposable protective masks for 47.50 euros on their website.
- The hardware store chain bauhaus offers customers in Bavaria and Saxony free one-way protective masks when entering the store – similar measures are also being considered in other federal states, the chain said. The group did not want to comment on its own range of face masks. However, there are masks for sale on the website again: 50 pieces cost 47.50 euros.
A number of companies have changed their production capacities in the coronavirus pandemic and are now also producing masks. However, the majority of these masks produced should not be made available to individual customers, but rather to authorities, companies or care facilities.
Which products should definitely not be used: Unsafe mouth protection: EU warns against these breathing masks.
(with dpa)
Here you can find more information about the coronavirus pandemic in Germany:
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