Coronavirus: calls mount for Hong Kong government to make surgical masks a reserved commodity like rice

The coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong has prompted growing calls for the government to include surgical masks under a list of reserved commodities required by law, sharing the same status with rice.As the city writhes in the throes of the health crisis with a community outbreak already declared, parties and lawmakers across the political spectrum have reached a rare consensus. They are urging the government to include masks in the list of commodities regulated by the Reserved Commodities…