Name-based Face Mask Purchasing System Takes Effect|口罩實名制上路 民眾排長龍警察維持秩序

The name-based rationing system for purchases of face masks began on Feb. 6. To obtain face masks, people must bring their national health insurance cards to pharmacies. They will be able to purchase two masks for NT$10. To avert crowds, people whose national identification card numbers end with an even number will only be allowed to purchase masks on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Those with ID card numbers ending with an odd number can purchase masks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Anyone can purchase masks on Sundays.


Long lines of people seeking to purchase face masks formed outside drugstores and pharmacies well before 8 a.m. on Feb. 6. At this pharmacy, the line extended to the next alley before 9 a.m. Police officers were dispatched to maintain order. Those at the head of the line were happy with their positions.

I arrived at 7:50 a.m. I must get some today, or I'll run out.

I wasn't able to purchase any at convenience stores, so I lined up here today. Convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, so you never know when new supplies will arrive.

The new face mask rationing system based on identity took effect on Feb. 6. People will be required to bring their national health insurance cards to one of the country's 6,500 NHI-contracted pharmacies to purchase masks. Each card will be allowed to purchase two masks a week for NT$10. To avert crowds, people whose national identification card numbers end with an even number will only be allowed to purchase masks on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Those with ID card numbers ending with an odd number can purchase masks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Anyone can purchase masks on Sundays. Face masks for children can only be purchased by those aged 12 and under. People will be allowed to make purchases for only one other person.

There are 689 NHI-contracted pharmacies in Taipei, and each one has a supply of 200 adult face masks and 50 child face masks. That means there are at least 130,000 adult face masks.

The purchasing process proceeded smoothly on the first day, even though it took a bit of time for the NHI cards to be read. Taipei City's Department of Health says each pharmacy only has a stock of 200 adult face masks and 50 child face masks, and some will only put them on sale in the afternoon or evening to give office workers a chance to purchase them.



早上八點不到，就有民眾跑來社區藥局排隊，等著買口罩，不到9點，排隊人龍已經綿延到下個巷口，還出動警察幫忙維持秩序，搶得排隊頭香的民眾相當開心。

民眾 鄭女士表示：「7點50分啊(就來)，今天非買到不可，不然沒有得用啊！」

民眾 涂女士表示：「因為以前去超商都沒買到啊，所以今天就(來排隊)，超商它們是24小時嘛，什麼時候到(貨)也不知道。」

口罩實名制販售、6號開始上路，民眾只要拿健保卡，到全國6500多家健保特約藥局，就可購買醫用口罩，每張健保卡可用10元購買兩片口罩，而且七天內不得重複購買。身分證字號尾數是偶數者，是每週二、四、六購買，單數是一、三、五購買，週日則是全民皆可買，兒童口罩只限12歲以下兒童購買，每人最多可代購一位親友。

台北市衛生局食藥科科長 陳怡婷表示：「台北市有689家的健保特約藥局，以成人口罩每個藥局是200份，那兒童口罩50份算法的話，那至少成人口罩是13萬份。」

口罩開賣後，雖然民眾健保卡通過讀卡機的速度有點慢，但購買流程大致順暢。北市衛生局強調，一個藥局有200片成人口罩、50片兒童口罩，但有些藥局是下午或晚上開賣，要讓上班族下班後、也有機會購買口罩。