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.