Kijiji bans sale of surgical masks, hand sanitizer and toilet paper

Kijiji Canada is doing its part to stop people from buying toilet paper, hand sanitizer, surgical masks and then marking them up for resale.

"We have been monitoring the community response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Canada," reads a press release on the Kijiji site. 

"Based on user feedback, and to curb pricing practices that run counter to the community-minded spirit of Kijiji, we will temporarily ban listings for health care masks including N95/N100 and surgical masks, hand sanitizer/gel, disinfecting wipes and toilet paper."

Kijiji said it will continue to monitor the evolving situation and quickly remove any listing that mentions COVID-19, coronavirus, or 2019nCoV (except books) in the title or description.

"We encourage users to continue to flag any ads they deem incorrect, misleading or deceptive to our Help Desk team," they said.

The company also offered some COVID-19 safety precautions, taken from Health Canada.

Clean items with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach, one part bleach to nine parts water.

"Since respiratory viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, are spread through contact, change how you greet one another. Instead of a handshake, a kiss or a hug, a friendly wave or elbow bump is less likely to expose you to respiratory viruses," according to the release.

"Practice frequent hand hygiene and coughing and sneezing etiquette. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined wastebasket and wash your hands afterwards."

We ask all of our users to consider the wellbeing of their community and stay home if you are sick. If you’re sick, wait until everyone in your household is better before making a transaction.

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