Claims of prison-made masks misused probed

The Ombudsman has launched an investigation into surgical masks made by prisoners for government personnel being diverted and perhaps sold.

Most of what are known as CSI masks - made by the correctional services industries - should go to the Government Logistics Department for distribution to various departments for their own use.

But they have been spotted in shops, raising questions whether there is misuse or unauthorized sales.

The Ombudsman will look into the production, distribution and stock-checks on CSI masks by the Correctional Services Department and the GLD.

Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin said the community is concerned about the possible misuse of CSI masks after media reports of them being available on the market. The Office of the Ombudsman has also received complaints on the issue.

"Where inadequacies are identified I will make improvement recommendations to the departments concerned for closing any loopholes at source," Chiu said. She also invited the public to send information or views to her office by April 6.

The CSI has supplied an average of 1.1 million masks each month to the GLD, with a small number sold to nongovernmental organizations, including social welfare organizations, and schools.

The GLD said it will "fully cooperate with the Ombudsman's investigation." So did the CSD.

There have been claims CSI masks were found in dispensaries and some people said they bought such masks on the open market.

A government spokesman noted earlier that CSI masks had been going to NGOs before the coronavirus outbreak, so it would not be unusual for people in the community to be using them.

In any event, he added, due to local demand masks are now going only to the GLD "and they will only be distributed to various departments in need."

And action would be taken if any public officer was found to be dealing in stolen CSI masks.

On a more positive note about the supply of masks, four residents have established a new social enterprise, masHKer.

They aim to produce 100,000 masks daily starting from next month. And if there are workers to man the factory 24 hours a day masHKer could produce five million masks a month.

The four said they were organizing a presale event on Tuesday and would be donating a box of 50 masks plus an extra mask to charity for every two boxes sold.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority said admission forms for private candidates for this year's Diploma of Secondary Education exam have been sent by post.

Candidates should collect masks from the HKEAA offices in Wan Chai, San Po Kong and Tsuen Wan from March 16 to 26.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com