Coronavirus: calls mount for Hong Kong government to make surgical masks a reserved commodity like rice

Panic buying and citywide shortfall raise questions as camps from across political divide pile pressure on authorities

Former official points to how colonial government regulated rice as a lesson current administration can learn for mask supply

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Passengers wearing medical masks ride an MTR train in Hong Kong. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 3:42pm, 9 Feb 2020Updated: 11:42pm, 9 Feb 2020

The coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong has prompted growing calls for the government to include surgical masks under a list of reserved commodities required by law, sharing the same status with rice.

As the city writhes in the throes of the health crisis with a community outbreak already declared, parties and lawmakers across the political spectrum have reached a rare consensus. They are urging the government to include masks in the list of commodities regulated by the Reserved Commodities Ordinance.

But authorities have so far been reluctant, saying the move could have unintended consequences and reduce supply further, as well as make it more difficult for the private sector to procure such items.

Dr Victor Zheng Wan-tai, who wrote a book on the history of the rice trade in Hong Kong, says its time for the government to consider making masks a reserved commodity. Photo: SCMP

A former Hong Kong official, who managed the rice control scheme in the city, is adamant that technical difficulties in making masks a reserved commodity could be solved, by drawing reference from the colonial government’s experience in ensuring a stable supply of rice.

“The government could classify masks as a reserved commodity to cope with the current outbreak and remove it from the ordinance after the crisis is over,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.