PodcastTurkey sets price ceiling of 1 lira on surgical masks
Turkey's Trade Ministry announced a price ceiling of one Turkish Lira for surgical masks for when sale of the commodity begins after monthlong government efforts to distribute it for free. The price ceiling will be in effect starting May 8, when the goods will be on sale in Istanbul.
Duvar English
Turkey's Trade Ministry announced a price ceiling of one Turkish Lira for surgical masks for when sale of the commodity begins after monthlong government efforts to distribute it for free.
The ministry said that sale of surgical masks would start in Istanbul May 8, followed by other large cities, and the price would be one lira (less than 25 cents) including taxes.
The Trade Ministry said that any pricing above the ceiling will be considered extortion, which is penalized with monetary fines.
Masks will be sold in packages of 50 and 10, it was noted.
Turkey made surgical masks mandatory in public spaces May 3 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ankara subsequently made efforts to distribute supplies to citizens for free, which led to multiple policy changes in the span of a month.
Turkish gov't backtracks on distribution of free surgical masks after one month of inconsistent policies