STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city has enacted an emergency rule that completely bans price gouging on products used to treat and prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Fines of up to $500 per item will be issued to any retailer who marks up products by more than 10%.

The new city Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) rule (NYC Administrative Code 20-701(b)) is in effect and makes it illegal to increase prices by 10% or more. The rule follows DCWP’s previous declaration that face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes are in short supply and expands the agency’s ability to protect New Yorkers from price gouging.

“Now is the time for us to come together, not take advantage of each other for a profit but we continue to hear about and see empty shelves and price gouging,” said DCWP Commissioner Lorelei Salas.

“We are using every tool in our toolbox to protect New Yorkers from price gouging during this public health emergency and I encourage consumers to file a complaint if they are overcharged. I also remind New Yorkers about their right to sick leave and encourage employers to let employees use additional sick leave if necessary so they can take care of themselves and not get coworkers or customers sick,” she added.

The new rule will be valid for 60 days, and can be extended once for an additional 60 days.

13 PRODUCTS

Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday that there would be no tolerance for mark-ups of more than 10% on 13 products that have been identified to help treat, fight or prevent the virus.

“We are announcing a new consumer rule. ...We are taking a much deeper step now,” said de Blasio.

Those products where price gouging is now banned are: thermometers, sanitizing wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, aloe, latex gloves, fever reducers, cough suppressors, zinc oxide supplements, face masks, rubbing alcohol, toilet paper and facial tissue.

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These items have been disappearing from store shelves across the city. And many online retailers have significantly marked up the products, making them unaffordable for many.

“For all the folks out there who sell these items, we are deadly seriously. You need to not price gouge these items. ...You have an obligation to your fellow New Yorkers to make sure these people can get these supplies,” said de Blasio.

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