The governmentof India has capped the prices of hand sanitizers and masks to prevent firmsand companies from overcharging amid panic-buying due to the coronavirus threat.

ConsumerAffairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday tweeted that the price of 200 mlbottle of hand sanitizer cannot be sold for more than Rs. 100. Minister alsoadded that masks cannot be sold for more than Rs. 10 per piece.

Earlier, it was reported that retail and e-tailers were charging very high prices for hand sanitizers and masks, which are much-needed commodities during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Health experts have advised people to keep their hands clean as it may help reduce the risk of contracting the virus.