Coronavirus: four people arrested for selling masks with dangerous bacterial count

The discovery was made during routine checks on shops and stalls selling protective gear

Customs officers say the defective items could pose a health risk to some wearers and should be thrown away immediately

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Hong Kong customs officers display the tainted face masks seized during a routine inspection. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:39pm, 17 Apr 2020Updated: 6:11pm, 18 Apr 2020

Four people were arrested on Friday for selling tainted masks after a customs check on Hong Kong shops and stalls offering essential protection gear during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The four brands, which authorities said people should stop using, contained a bacterial count that exceeded the maximum allowed. They posed a risk to the public, especially the elderly and children, as well as people with a weak immune system. The brands were ONEMED, Atos, Q-FREZZ and AD PRO.

The four brands of masks that failed quality control tests. Photo: Handout

They were sold at four shops, including a pharmacy, fruit stall and grocery store, in Causeway Bay, North Point and Sheung Shui, according to the Customs and Excise Department.

Philip Li Man-kai, head of the customs’ consumer protection bureau, said officers bought 24 brands and sent them for laboratory testing.

“The four brands of masks were found to have a bacterial count exceeding the maximum limit by 0.2 to 1.35 times in the test,” Li said.

A customs officer (left) with one of the suspects at Wing Lee Dispensary in Lockhart Road in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam