Cheap COVID19 face masks hit Zim market

The high demand for face masks has resulted in mass production of cheaper masks costing as little as, ZWL$10 in the country.

Mass production of face masks has highly increased such that a pack of 50 costs USD$2.

WHO states that If purchasing a mask from a store, check to make sure it meets national performance standards.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Why should people wear face masks?

Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives.

They should be worn including physical distancing, avoiding crowded, closed, and close-contact settings, good ventilation, cleaning hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and more.

Whilst Vendors in Zimbabwe have taken advantage of the demand in selling cheap sub-standard face masks.


According to WHO

Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are

• composed of 3 layers of synthetic nonwoven materials
• configured to have filtration layers sandwiched in the middle
• available in different thicknesses
• have various levels of fluid-resistance and filtration

Zimbabwe is currently facing a global pandemic, COVID19 which according to the world’s healthy regulations wearing face masks could help in reducing the spread.

As part of its measures to contain the spread government announced that wearing a face mask in public spaces will be mandatory as of May 4 2020 until to date.

Speaking to one vendor along Samora Machel she narrated that they have found many places ( Mikoto) to buy face masks at a cheaper price, sell them and make 100% profit.

“We found a place where we buy these masks at a very cheaper price, we sell them at ZWL$10 and make a profit.”

“The business is proving to be viable, but production of face masks is now at a large scale, competition for customers is increasing,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives.
Since the coronavirus can spread through droplets and particles released into the air by speaking, singing, coughing, or sneezing, masks are recommended to prevent the virus from spreading.

While cheap sub starndad face mask has hit the marker others still opt for fabric ones.

WHO recommended fabric mask:

Check for filtration, breathability, and fit when choosing a fabric mask. It should be held in place comfortably with little adjustment using elastic bands or ties. Find the one that fits closely over your nose, cheeks, and chin. 

Fabric masks should be made of three layers of fabric:

• Inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton.
• Middle layer of non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene.
• Outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.

If purchasing a fabric mask from a store, check to make sure it meets national performance standards.