Coronavirus: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam admits government supply of surgical masks down to its last month but says 48 million more are on the way

But the chief executive admitted they ‘may not arrive in time given the current situation’

Lam also confirms new quarantine measures drastically reduced numbers entering the city, as 161 people issued confinement orders on its first day

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam admits the government is down to its last month’s supply of masks – and replacements may not arrive in time. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 8:25pm, 8 Feb 2020Updated: 11:44pm, 8 Feb 2020

Hong Kong’s leader has said the government has bought 48 million masks and received 17 million more from mainland China as it scrambles to address shortages caused by the deadly coronavirus, but admitted they may not arrive on time given the current situation.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also revealed the government’s internal reserve of surgical masks was down to just one month’s supply, following earlier revelations that it had only 12 million left.

“This shortage is not a unique problem in Hong Kong, but the whole world, [though] especially in our region,” Lam said, adding she hoped the public could understand the reasons for the masks being delayed.

Volunteer officers from the Correctional Service Department produce masks at Lo Wu Correctional Institution. Photo: Handout

She said more staff and volunteers working in the correctional service’s factory would boost the city’s supply from 1.8 million a month to 2.5 million, with the extra 700,000 masks to be given to outsourced cleaners for free.

Lam also said the newly rolled out quarantine measures had “drastically reduced” cross-border traffic on their first day.