Mask government buys 3.2 million copies for 80,000 households and distributes them to Hokkaido

The government buys 3.2 million copies for 80,000 households and distributes them to Hokkaido March 3 at 6:50

Due to the shortage of masks due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the government plans to instruct mask manufacturers to sell them on the 3rd according to law. An average of around 40 masks per household will be distributed to local residents of Hokkaido who are particularly in need.

Demand for masks has increased sharply due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and manufacturers continue to produce 24 hours a day, but supply is not keeping up and supplies are running short.

For this reason, the government intends to instruct manufacturers that produce and sell masks to sell them on the 3rd according to the Law on Emergency Measures for National Stability.

The government buys disposable masks in bulk from manufacturers and distributes them first in Hokkaido, where it declared emergency.

According to stakeholders, the government has purchased 3.2 million copies for 80,000 households this time, an average of around 40 copies per household.

The number required for a two-week incubation period means that it will be distributed by mail, especially to the municipal inhabitants where the infection is spreading.

This law was enacted in 1973 when there was an oil shock, but this is the first time that the sale of goods has been ordered.

Besides, the government is considering that the inclusion in the second series to become emergency response measures put together to prohibit the resale of that and mask to distribute the mask to purchase an additional nationwide scale in prospect this month 10 days.

What is the "Emergency Measures for National Stability"

The Law on Emergency Measures for the Stabilization of People's Livelihoods was enacted in 1973 when the first oil shock occurred. The government secured essential supplies for daily life in order to cope with rising prices and abnormal economic conditions. And so on.

According to Article 22 of the law, the government will provide contractors with information such as the quantity and price of goods when there is a possibility that the supply of living-related goods in a certain area will be affected, which may affect the lives of local residents and the local economy. And instruct them to sell.

In addition, it is possible to instruct related companies on the transportation and storage of materials necessary for selling, and if they do not comply, the name of the company can be disclosed.

In addition, Article 26 stipulates that if there is a significant shortage of life-related goods and there is a risk of impairing people's lives, a Cabinet Order can prohibit the transfer of goods.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, this law sometimes specified toilet paper and gasoline as supplies to stabilize prices at the time of the oil shock, but the government instructs manufacturers to sell them to distribute supplies This is the first time.