We are not hoarding face masks: govt

The government is fighting allegations information on face masks is not transparent enough. Photo: RTHK

The government has denied claims it has 100 million face masks in stock, amid suggestions it's not transparent about its stockpile.



In a statement, officials said the Government Logistics Department, which maintains and supplies surgical masks to various departments for their operational and contingency use, procured a monthly average of 1.1 million masks from the Correctional Services Department last year.



They were subsequently issued to various departments.



To support the operational use of relevant bureaux and departments under the preparedness and response plans for infectious diseases, the department is required to maintain a stock of 10 million masks.



At a press conference on Saturday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she'd sought Beijing's assistance to ensure the supply of masks here in Hong Kong is adequate.



Critics, however, argued that people were left scrambling for masks, as the government refused to come clean on its stockpile.