Health experts call for ban on ‘selfish’ valve-style masks in Hong Kong quarantine facilities

The masks – which filter air on the way in, but not the way out – have been blamed for a recent cross infection at the Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong

One expert says the masks should even be banned in all local premises where use of the government’s ‘Leave Home Safe’ app is required

Reading Time:3 minutes

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung holds a valve-style mask similar to one blamed for a recent quarantine cross-infection while speaking to the press on Monday night. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:00am, 24 Nov 2021Updated: 12:44pm, 24 Nov 2021

Hong Kong health experts have called for a ban on masks with air valves in quarantine facilities after one of the “selfish” face coverings was blamed for a recent coronavirus cross infection in a local hotel.

The cross infection attributed to the valve-style masks – which authorities say are only suitable for filtering out dust and contaminants in industrial settings – was first identified on Monday, and forced guests in 12 other rooms on the same floor of the quarantine hotel to extend their isolation period by another two weeks.

The valves in question only filter air on the way in, but not on the way out, prompting experts on Tuesday to recommend that those in quarantine be required to wear standard surgical-style masks instead.

Respiratory medicine expert Leung Chi-chiu said the valve-style masks were not sufficient protection against Covid-19.

“We cannot ban these masks because they have other uses, but we need to educate citizens, and those under quarantine should be required to use ordinary surgical masks,” he said.

Valve-style masks are already discouraged in many settings, including by the US Centres for Disease Control. On the basis of that advice, some major US airlines forbid passengers wearing the masks from boarding.