Store offers refund after 'mistakenly' selling packs of face masks for $120 before new Covid restrictions came into force

A supermarket has sparked public outrage by 'mistakenly' tripling the price of face masks hours before new coronavirus restrictions were enforced. 

Australian Capital Territory introduced the wearing of mandatory masks outdoors and public indoor settings on Monday in response to a growing outbreak in nearby Sydney.

As Canberrans rushed out to stock up on masks, shoppers were shocked to find packs of 50 selling for $120 at Supabarn Kingston in the city's south.

It didn't take long for locals to express their outrage and share photos of the price hike on social media. 

Supabarn Kingston in the nation's capital were selling packs of 50 masks for $120 on Sunday night. The price has since been slashed to $40

'Didn't they make price gouging illegal? I am now boycotting Supabarn and will encourage whoever will listen to do so as well,' one person commented on Reddit.

Other Reddit users shared similar experiences. 

'Friend just forked out $200 for 50 at some pharmacy. F****** insanity,' one wrote.

One Reddit user pointed out it was cheaper to buy 10 packs of five masks selling for $10.99.

Local community Facebook pages in the nation's capital were also flooded with angry comments. 

'That's a ridiculous price,' one woman commented.

'Shameful behaviour,' another added. 

The store in Canberra's south later resolved the price hike, claiming it was a mistake

The store has also been inundated with negative Google reviews.

'How is it appropriate charging $120 for a 50 pack of masks? Other stores are charging $20-30 for the same brand. Exploiting their customers’ desperation at the expense of public health. Absolutely disgusting,' one man wrote.

Another added: 'Price gouging during Covid restrictions and then saying it was a mistake? Don't think so.

The widespread outrage prompted the supermarket chain to slash the price by $80.

'Things just changed so quickly last night and we acknowledge it was our mistake. The price has changed to $39.99 - we will not be making a profit,' a spokeswoman  told the ABC.

'We are doing our best to keep up.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Supabarn for further comment.

The ACT introduced the wearing of mandatory masks in public this week. Pictured are visitors at Parliament House on Monday

Canberrans had until midnight Tuesday to adjust to the new mask rules before fines of up to $8,000 were enforced.

There are no currently active Covid cases in the nation's capital.

'The safety of our community is paramount, so we are bringing in this requirement as a proactive measure to support the strengthened travel restrictions that we have put in place,' the ACT government website states.

'This new requirement means, when people are indoors with people they don’t usually live or work with, or on public transport, they must wear a face mask.'

Canberrans must also wear masks outdoors, despite no current active cases in the ACT. Pictured are locals enjoying the school holidays