Coronavirus: more than 83 million masks Hong Kong purchased amid pandemic were defective or from dubious sources

The revelation came as treasury chief Christopher Hui detailed problems with the city’s massive procurement campaign in a written reply to Legco

How much the city spent on the 1.2 billion total masks purchased without a tendering process, however, was not disclosed

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Hong Kong purchased 1.12 billion masks amid the coronavirus pandemic – at least 83 million were defective or from dubious sources. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:10pm, 24 Feb 2021Updated: 7:10pm, 24 Feb 2021

More than 83 million surgical masks, 7 per cent of those purchased by the Hong Kong government last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, were either defective or came from dubious sources, it was revealed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to lawmakers, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu detailed problems with the city’s procurement of 1.12 billion masks, including the purchase of about 45 million that did not meet safety standards.

The poor quality masks sourced by the Government Logistic Department (GLD) came from 13 countries – Japan, Russia and Germany among them – and their flaws were discovered by random testing the GLD conducted at laboratories.

The masks ruled defective came from at least 13 different countries, Legco was told on Wednesday. Photo: Shutterstock

Hui said 3.27 million of the deficient face coverings were distributed to other government departments and almost all of them had been used.

“The GLD informed relevant departments to cease using the masks and return the remaining stock to the GLD for follow-up,” Hui said in his reply to the Legislative Council.

“The GLD is following up with the suppliers to request replacements or a refund for the whole batch of masks.”