By Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe central government should explain how surgical masks are allocated across the nation to prevent 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection, or there might be a political backlash if an outbreak occurs and people cannot purchase masks, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday. “There has not yet been an outbreak of 2019-nCoV in communities, but if there is an outbreak, panic buying of masks would become more serious,” Ko said. Taiwan should implement more stringent preventive measures in the coming week, because there might be some infected people who have not yet shown symptoms given the virus’ 14-day incubation period, he said. These measures could be loosened if no outbreak occurs in the coming week, he said. In related news, police seized tens of thousands of masks in outbound postal packages, as the government continued its crackdown to secure supplies in Taiwan.

Source: Taipei Times February 01, 2020 15:56 UTC