Yesterday, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Lorelei Salas announced that, in addition to face masks, she is declaring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in short supply, in order to prevent stores from overcharging customers. The declaration, which goes into effect today, makes it temporarily illegal to drastically increase the prices of those products.
Commissioner Salas said, "We continue to see businesses prey on consumers who are concerned about their health during a time of unique uncertainty and it will not be tolerated. We are actively educating businesses and consumers that this is unacceptable, and will be investigating complaints of price gouging.”
Last week, we reported on NYC's price gouging declaration about face masks.
"We continue to see businesses prey on consumers who are concerned about their health during a time of unique uncertainty and it will not be tolerated" -- Commissioner Lorelei Salas