Agnes Pannier-Runacher, secretary of state for the economy, said on Wednesday that supermarkets and supermarkets will be able to sell masks starting Monday, May 4. This will be the case for Auchan, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora, Casino, Intermarché, Leclerc, Lidl, Netto, Match and Système U. Other brands will follow on May 11.
This entry into the supermarket chain was expected for fabric masks, whose brands have already ordered, in particular from the 240 French companies which now produce them. It is, however, a surprise for surgical masks, hitherto reserved for pharmacies and only intended for caregivers and patients.
GMS thus complete the sale of masks to the general public already engaged by pharmacies (since Monday), tobacconists (from this Thursday), in addition to what is distributed free of charge by communities and employers to their employees.
Small businesses will also be able to get their supplies from an online sales site created specially by La Poste, just as they have been able to do for a few days on the Cdiscount site (Casino group).
Between 10 and 30 cents “usage”
The principle of setting sales prices to individuals looks complicated. There are 390 approved models of “general public” masks (categories 1 and 2, depending on whether they filter 90% or 70% of particles larger than 3 microns). As for sanitary masks (surgical and FFP2), those sold to individuals are necessarily imported (all French production is requisitioned for caregivers), at prices that cannot be imposed on foreign producers. In any case, the law enforcement authorities are responsible for checking that there are no excessive prices.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher said that reusable masks will cost “Between 2 and 3 €, or between 10 and 30 cents per use”. The model sold by tobacconists, washable 20 times, is sold for € 5, or 25 cents per use. Single-use paper masks “Will be sold at cost price” by supermarkets, said the secretary of state. A price of 60 cents has already been announced by certain brands. In companies, where wearing is at least mandatory because of a distance of less than one meter between two individuals, it is up to the company to provide the masks.
For the people “The most vulnerable”, 5 million masks reusable 20 times will be delivered each week.
The government has demanded distributors to prevent consumers from creating the mask shortage by over-purchasing. In some stores, the masks will only be supplied at the box, at the rate of one package per passage. Others will force a reservation over the Internet.
Paradoxically, it is mainly single-use masks that will be available, textile masks expected to arrive in the following weeks.
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