Coronavirus: 14 Dubai traders fined for face mask price hikes

Dubai Economy officials crackdown on pharmacies, supermarkets and suppliers

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  A mother and daughter, wearing protective gloves and face masks, walk together in Dubai. Photo: AFP

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  Cleaners wear protective face masks as they disinfect the front of a restaurant in Dubai Marina. Photo: AFP

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  A security guard at Jebel Ali in Dubai. Face masks are among the measures that have helped the UAE drive down daily infections. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Two grooms wear face masks on race day at Jebel Ali Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Mask-wearing rules are to remain in place in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Daily case tallies have dropped below 100 in recent weeks. Photo: AFP

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  The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Agency has said safety measures such as mask-wearing remain important. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Masks have become part of a 'new lifestyle' the public should now be used to, a senior health official has said. Photo: AFP / KARIM SAHIB

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  A group wears masks in Al Barsha area, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More than a dozen pharmacies and supermarkets in Dubai have been hit with fines for selling face masks at inflated prices.

A total of 14 businesses were penalised, including nine pharmacies in Nad Al Hamar, Al Mizhar, Nad Hessa, Sheikh Zayed Road, Hor Al Anz, A Twar, Al Qusais, Umm Suqaim and Al Warqa.

Vendors were caught exploiting the high demand for protection against Covid-19, as the government advised people in Dubai to wear masks at all times outside.

The average costs for a box of 50 basic surgical masks is about Dh100.

The other five merchants fined for price tampering were supermarkets and suppliers.

Investigators from the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector of Dubai Economy traced the illegal price setting through the supply chain network.

It is the second time in a week officials have cracked down on profiteering during the coronavirus outbreak.

On Tuesday, three pharmacies in Jumeirah, Al Khawaneej and Mirdif were investigated and fined for similar illegal pricing.

Authorities can now issue a Dh5,000 fine to companies found to be inflating consumer prices, with repeat offenders could facing doubled fines or possible closure.

Last week, Dubai Economy rolled out a daily price monitor listing minimum and maximum prices for essential goods such as face mask, hand sanitisers and staple foods.

The monitor is updated daily on the department's Twitter account.

The authority also urged consumers to report rogue traders caught ramping up price tags on in-demand items.

Any consumer who wishes to complain about being overcharged for items on the price monitor can make a complaint via the website price.ded.ae