Social News
Written by: Zhang Jiamin
2020-01-30 20:11
Last updated: 2020-01-30 21:24The outbreak of the new coronavirus that caused Wuhan pneumonia continued, and the supply of masks on the market was tight.
Scholars expect that Hong Kong needs 300 million masks per month. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Zhang Jianzong, told reporters this evening (30th) that he has ordered more than 5 million masks from overseas and local suppliers. In addition, to cope with private retail uses, the government has facilitated the supply of about 8 million masks to Hong Kong, and about 24 million are still being arranged, but there is no timetable for the market. He also mentioned that the use of masks by the Hospital Authority and the government has increased by five to six times, and inventory will be risk-based, giving priority to medical and law enforcement agencies. As to whether Hong Kong people will be introduced first, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Qiu Tenghua said that he believes that most buyers are Hong Kong people.
However, scholars have estimated that 10 million masks are needed daily in Hong Kong, and that 30 million are enough for three days.
▼ Consumer Council tests 29 masks cost-effective ▼
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Zhang Jianzong, told reporters this evening (30th) that he had ordered more than 5 million masks from overseas and local suppliers respectively. (Photo by Zhang Haowei)
5 million masks arrive in Hong Kong one after another
In response to the surge in demand for masks, people have been buying masks in many areas recently, and more people are waiting overnight. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Zhang Jianzong, said at a press conference that in order to increase the supply of masks, the government recently contacted more than 140 suppliers from more than ten countries. The government ordered 5 million masks and shipped them to Hong Kong one last week. In addition, since last month, about 8 million masks have been promoted for private retail use in Hong Kong, and about 24 million masks are being arranged. Currently, they are being promoted by the Mainland department for delivery as soon as possible, with more than 30 million masks being launched on the market. However, when asked about the launch schedule, he only said that "the market will be replenished soon", and there was no precise time to respond.
▼ Hong Kong Wuhan pneumonia epidemic ▼
+14
+13
+12
Correctional Services mask production increased to 1.8 million
As for local production, the Correctional Services Department will also increase the production of masks from 50,000 to 70,000 daily production, and it is expected to increase from 1.1 million to 1.8 million per month. He clarified that it will not operate 24 hours, but will increase supply through methods such as increasing production lines. He also said that he was contacting startups to provide 1.68 million higher-spec masks. A private doctor experienced a shortage of masks. He said that he had referred small suppliers to the Hong Kong Medical Association and believed that the supply was sufficient.
[Wuhan Pneumonia] Zhang Jianzong: Dealing with Hubei Travelers as "Persuasive" to Promptly Depart Hong Kong
[Wuhan Pneumonia] Zhang Jianzong: The government will assist manufacturers to return to Hong Kong to produce masks
[Wuhan Pneumonia] Mask of Correctional Services Department plans to increase production of 1.8 million per month or research non-prisoners
HA's stock of masks is only enough for three months
As for the current mask inventory, the HA's mask inventory has been maintained at 3 months. However, it has been acknowledged that the usage has soared 5 to 6 times in the past two weeks. As for the Government Logistics Department, it has about 1 month of inventory, and the usage has also soared. He said that the inventory of masks will be allocated first to medical personnel, law enforcement agencies, social welfare agencies, etc., followed by occupations that have close contact with the public, such as the public transportation industry, and finally citizens.
As for being asked whether Hong Kong people's priority purchases will be introduced, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Qiu Tenghua, said that he believes that most buyers are now Hong Kong people. "We, Hong Kong people, do a lot of purchases from other places." Have difficulties.
Qiu Tenghua also said that there are millions of batches of masks that will come to Hong Kong by plane on weekends, and that there is a need to ensure adequate supply in the short term. However, the director of the HKU Infection and Infectious Diseases Centre, He Boliang, estimated that the population of about 7 million people in Hong Kong would require 300 million masks per month to fight the epidemic.
Wuhan pneumonia Zhang Jianzong lung disease mask
