Hong Kong pharmacies are preparing to slash mask prices, while customers have already reduced purchases in anticipation the government next month will lift a mandate that requires people to wear facial coverings.

Vendors said they had noticed a drop in sales after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s comments last week that the government would actively consider removing the mask mandate after the winter flu season.

Cheung Tak-wing, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy, said he expected the price of masks to be halved to HK$30 (US$3.80) for each box from the current range of HK$50 to HK$60.

“If the mask mandate is cancelled, the price will drop but it will go down to HK$30 at most, not more,” he said.

The Post observed that most customers shopping in at least six mask boutiques in Causeway Bay on Thursday had made small purchases when it came to protective coverings – a stark contrast to the panic buying that emerged at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.