Starry Lee, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), hands out face masks to a local resident in Ngau Chi Wan, Hong Kong, Feb 1, 2020. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The city’s pro-establishment camp on Saturday handed out 80,000 face masks that are in short supply amid heightened fears of the novel coronavirus.

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Hong Kong recorded 13 confirmed cases of infection as of Saturday, prompting a city-wide rush for face masks that can provide a basic protection against infection. But they are hard to find as most vendors have run out of stock.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), city’s largest political party, gave away 50,000 face masks, while another 30,000 were handed out by the city's largest labor union the, Federation of Trade Unions (FTU).

Members of the Federation of Trade Unions hand out face masks to residents in Hong Kong, Feb 1, 2020. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

More than 10,000 Hong Kong residents received the masks, which are believed to be effective in preventing the transmission of the airborne virus.

The DAB urged the special administrative region’s government to step up efforts in sourcing suppliers around the world to ensure that there are sufficient face masks to satisfy the strong demand. The government should also take measures to alleviate public anxiety about the shortage of face masks, the party said in a statement.

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Hong Kong has faced an acute shortage of face masks since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus on the Chinese mainland began to spread to Hong Kong last month.  

The FTU, meanwhile, urged the government to legislate against profiteering by vendors taking advantage of the surge in demand for personal protective equipment such as face masks, goggles, sanitizers and gloves. 

 (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

 (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

 (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

 (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)