Taipei, June 5 (CNA) Hypermarket chain A-Mart will begin selling surgical masks for children from Saturday, joining the heated market after the government relaxed mask sale restrictions at the beginning of the month.

According to a Friday announcement from A-Mart, its 14 stores in Taiwan will begin selling surgical masks for children in boxes of 50 pieces each from 6 p.m. Saturday, priced at NT$250 (US$8.39).

The retailer, which began selling surgical masks for adults from June 2, is part of a market in which convenience stores, cosmetics stores, supermarkets and e-commerce platforms have seen the product selling fast.

The website of one of its rivals, Costco, which launched sales of surgical masks for adults online on June 3 for NT$265 per box of 50, appeared to have sold out as of press time, as was the case with e-commerce platform PCHome.

While the restrictions on sales of surgical masks, introduced in early February, have been lifted, members of the public with a National Health Insurance card can still acquire surgical face masks through the government's online supply system or at designated pharmacies.

Under the government supply system, each person can purchase nine adult-sized surgical masks, or 10 in sizes for children, every two weeks.