Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s reusable mask giveaway nears, as officials mull handing out replacement filters
- The face covers, which the government will dish out for free to all residents, cost about HK$40 each
- They can be handwashed with soap and water after each use
Reusable masks to be distributed for free to all Hong Kong residents cost the government about HK$40 (US$5) each and replacement filters may be provided in the future, officials have revealed.
No more than six people can be registered under each application. Masks are expected to be delivered within two weeks of a successful registration.
Those unable to apply online can collect masks from post offices after the one-month period ends on June 6 by showing their Hong Kong identity cards.
Secretary for Innovation and Technology Alfred Sit Wing-hang said on Tuesday the government was prepared to offer replacement filters to residents.
“We are thinking about supplying the filtering units for the masks. But it depends on the development of Covid-19,” Sit said.
He said Hongkong Post would deliver the masks and, similar to registered mail, those who were not at home would be left a slip and asked to collect the parcel at a designated post office.
Edwin Keh, CEO of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, which designed the mask, said the product had two different functions.