Coronavirus: Carrie Lam orders Hong Kong officials not to wear masks to save stocks for medical workers
- City’s chief executive bars civil servants from wearing the surgical masks, providing only three exemptions
- On the day Hong Kong confirms its first coronavirus death, Lam urges others to consider reducing mask use amid global supply shortages
Hong Kong’s leader has ordered government officials not to wear surgical masks except in limited circumstances, to save supplies for medical staff on the front line of the coronavirus outbreak.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who for the second day in a row was not wearing a mask when she appeared before the press on Tuesday, said her government would slash its use of the facial coverings in response to surging global demand.
But medical experts said the approach was not based on any scientific evidence, while the city’s largest pro-establishment party expressed concern that her remarks would only lead to further panic among the public.
Lam also said that to protect medical professionals, a new electronic platform holding patient’s travel history would be created.
“We believe the government should take the lead, so we have issued internal guidelines asking all departments to follow this in wearing masks,” Lam said. “The goal is to save stocks for medical staff.”
