Covid-19. Lyon: A three-month suspended sentence is required against the pharmacist who had sold masks illegally

Prosecutors in Lyon on Tuesday requested a three-month suspended prison sentence against a pharmacist who had sold protective masks against Covid-19 in March 2020 despite government requisitions in the middle of a period of incarceration.

The pharmacist in the center of Lyon received a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 euros for the recent offense “violation of requisition decree on the sale of protective masks”.

Almost 1700 masks sold

On 7 March 2020, the 41-year-old trader had been the subject of an initial procedure for the sale of masks at his pharmacy, while a decree from the Prime Minister, dated 3 March, ordered the requisition of all masks from protection due to a lack at the start first wave of Covid-19. Following another requisition decree from the Prime Minister, the pharmacist continued to sell masks from 10 to 21 March. In total during the period of 1,699 copies with 47 customers a total of € 3,068, at prices that are sometimes higher than market prices.

Several employees and the pharmacist’s wife with whom he has since divorced, the investigators assured that he was not aware of the current ban.