Coronavirus: Hong Kong residents to begin receiving reusable masks from Monday

Scheme embroiled in controversy after the government refused to tender the contract and links later revealed between developer and manufacturers

Hongkong Post will deliver the masks to 2.78 million locals who have already signed up to the programme

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The masks were designed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel and can be reused 60 times. Photo: May Tse

Published: 9:30pm, 10 May 2020Updated: 9:05am, 11 May 2020

Free reusable masks will be sent out to Hongkongers starting on Monday under a scheme that has proven a public relations headache for the government.

Under the plan, every resident is eligible to receive the masks which can be used up to 60 times. But the roll-out has been anything but smooth for the administration, after links were revealed between the mask designer, a government-funded non-governmental organisation, and some of the manufacturers.

The giveaway comes after Hong Kong recorded three new coronavirus cases – two travellers returning from Pakistan and one from Britain – taking the tally to 1,047, with four related deaths. The last case of local transmission was three weeks ago, and although some social-distancing rules have been eased recently, health authorities stress the city cannot let its guard down.

About 2.78 million residents have already signed up to the scheme, at qmask.gov.hk, and the government will start sending out SMS texts on Sunday to alert recipients that Hongkong Post will begin making deliveries the next day. If no one is home, a collection notification card will be issued and from the second working day people can take the notice and their ID to the designated post office to collect the masks. The sign-up period for the scheme runs until June 6, although people can still take part after that by visiting a post office.

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Hongkong Post said it would only notify applicants using SMS and the messages would not ask for any personal information. Each household will also receive a pack of 10 disposable masks in the weeks to come.

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Coronavirus: Hong Kong residents to begin receiving reusable masks from Monday

Scheme embroiled in controversy after the government refused to tender the contract and links later revealed between developer and manufacturers Hongkong Post will deliver the masks to 2.78 million locals who have already signed up to the programme

Scheme embroiled in controversy after the government refused to tender the contract and links later revealed between developer and manufacturers

Hongkong Post will deliver the masks to 2.78 million locals who have already signed up to the programme