Rally urges government to explain mask shortage

Rally urges government to explain mask shortage

Several hundred people marched from Chater Garden to the Government House on Wednesday, to demand the Chief Executive explain where face masks manufactured at government facilities have gone.



There have been accusations that masks made by prison inmates meant to be used by civil servants, have been sent to the mainland, or sold for profit by some government staff.



The rally, organised by the 'Silver Hair Group' – an association of elderly people known for supporting anti-government protesters – also accused the police of getting abundant protective gear, when those for medics are running out.



Many protesters at the march wore respirators instead of surgical masks, saying medical masks have become too expensive or are nowhere to be found.



One of them, an art industry worker named Shum, said she was wearing it to show that people are not getting the surgical mask.



"Everybody knows what happened in Hong Kong. The masks made by the correctional department were meant for the people and now it is all gone," she said.



The dearth of masks means elderly people have had to line up for many hours to get free ones provided by various groups as they can’t afford to buy masks on the market, and the government has failed them, Shum said.



Protesters also reminded each other to keep a safe distance from each other due to the coronavirus situation. This would also help avoid a stampede if they have to run away from police, some organisers said.



Some people were also seen handing out alcohol wipes and passing around disinfectant to the marchers.



The government has been under pressure to explain instances where prisoner-manufactured masks were handed out or sold, amid a territory-wide shortage.



The masks, labeled as CSI, are supposed to only be used by government staff.