Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

Allyson van de Pol made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Health

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The request was partially successful.

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise the following:

-As we have not had any local Covid 19 cases in many weeks, what scientific advice/ study are we following to maintain the mandatory mask wearing protocol?

-At what level of cases do we need to achieve until the mandatory mask wearing protocol can be rescinded?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,
Your email dated 2.7.2021 is received.

Please be advised that the requested information is under the purview of
the Food and Health Bureau ("FHB"). Subject to your consent, we will
refer your case to FHB for direct reply. Grateful for your consent by
replying to this email by 12.7.2021 (next Monday). Thank you
If you have any enquiry, please contact Ms Sophy KWOK, Executive
Officer(Personnel)3 at 3107 2593. Thank you.
Regards,

(Ms Sophy KWOK)
for Director of Health
Tel: 3107 2593

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 02/07/2021 18:24
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise the following:

-As we have not had any local Covid 19 cases in many weeks, what
scientific advice/ study are we following to maintain the mandatory mask
wearing protocol?

-At what level of cases do we need to achieve until the mandatory mask
wearing protocol can be rescinded?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #693 email]

Is [Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
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Dear Ms Kwok

Sure no problem at all, please send on.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application under the
Code on Access to Information dated 2.7.2021. Your application is now
under processing.

According to paragraph 1.16 of the Code on Access to Information, you will
be informed of the latest progress of the case separately on or before
22.7.2021.

In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [1][email address] if
you have any enquiry. Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[2][FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[3][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 09/07/2021 10:05
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms Kwok

Sure no problem at all, please send on.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,
Your email dated 2.7.2021 is received.

(Ms Sophy KWOK)
for Director of Health
Tel: 3107 2593

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health
request email]>
Date: 02/07/2021 18:24
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise the following:

-As we have not had any local Covid 19 cases in many weeks, what
scientific advice/ study are we following to maintain the mandatory mask
wearing protocol?

-At what level of cases do we need to achieve until the mandatory mask
wearing protocol can be rescinded?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #693 email]

Is [Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests
to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[1][4]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

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the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
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hide quoted sections

Dear Ms Fung

Thanks very much!

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

It appeared that I am not the intended recipient as your quoted email is
from Ms Mandy FUNG of Food and Health Bureau. Thank you.

Regards,
Ms Sophy KWOK
EO(Per)3
Department of Health
Tel: 3107 2593
___________________________________
Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only. It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 09/07/2021 16:57
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms Fung

Thanks very much!

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[2][FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[3][Department of Health
request email]>
Date: 09/07/2021 10:05
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms Kwok

Sure no problem at all, please send on.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

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Dear Sir/Madam,
Further to our interim reply dated 9 July 2021, we are processing your
application which would require more time to consult the relevant parties.
You will be informed of the latest progress of the case separately on or
before 1 August 2021.
In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [1][email address] if
you have any enquiry.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: XXXXXXXXXXXX
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[2][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 02/07/2021 18:24
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence Supporting
Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise the following:

-As we have not had any local Covid 19 cases in many weeks, what
scientific advice/ study are we following to maintain the mandatory mask
wearing protocol?

-At what level of cases do we need to achieve until the mandatory mask
wearing protocol can be rescinded?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Is [3][Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[4]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[5]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

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2. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
3. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
4. https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...
5. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

Dear Sir/Madam,

Maintaining social distancing is key to prevent and delay the spread of
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) within the community in Hong Kong.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, the Government has been
adjusting our social distancing measures having regard to the development
of the epidemic situation, risk assessment and experts' advice. In
deciding the social distancing measures to be put in place, the Government
has also balanced the oft-competing factors of public health protection,
economic impact and social acceptance.

The Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap.
599I) came into effect since July 2020, providing the legal basis for the
Government to impose a mandatory mask-wearing requirement for a specified
period for the purposes of preventing, protecting against, delaying or
otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of the specified
disease. In formulating the mandatory mask-wearing requirement, we have
taken into account the experts' advice and the World Health Organization
(WHO)'s advice in respect of the wearing of mask. According to WHO's
guidance titled "Mask Use in the Context of COVID-19" published on 5 June
2020 and subsequently updated on 1 December 2020 (at
[1]https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...),
WHO advises the use of masks as part of a comprehensive package of
prevention and control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, along
with other infection prevention and control measures include hand hygiene,
physical distancing of at least 1 metre, testing, contact tracing,
quarantine and isolation etc. Masks can be used either for protection of
healthy persons or for source control to prevent onward transmission.
Together these measures are critical to prevent human-to-human
transmission of COVID-19. In addition, the WHO urges fully vaccinated
people to continue wearing masks and taking other preventive measures as
it is still not known about the extent to which COVID-19 vaccine keeps
people from being infected and passing the virus to others. The relevant
advice is available at
[2]https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases....

Although the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has become more stable
recently, the epidemic situation worldwide remains severe. We must remain
cautious amidst threats of the highly contagious Delta variant across the
globe. In fact, Hong Kong continues to record imported cases carrying
variants of concern from time to time. Overseas experiences also suggest
that the risk of an explosive community outbreak and rebound of the
epidemic situation is considerably high following drastic relaxations of
social distancing measures. Against the foregoing, the mandatory
mask-wearing requirement under Cap. 599I has been extended until 4 August
2021 to prevent a rebound of the epidemic situation locally.

The Government will continue to review and adjust the social distancing
measures including the mask-wearing requirement from time to time, having
regard to, inter alia, the development of the epidemic situation, risk
assessment and experts' advice.
Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: Enquiry FHB/FHB/HKSARG
To: [FOI #693 email],
Date: 22/07/21 06:13 PM
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence
Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: XXXXXXXXXXXX
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[4][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 02/07/2021 18:24
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence Supporting
Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Could you please advise the following:

-As we have not had any local Covid 19 cases in many weeks, what
scientific advice/ study are we following to maintain the mandatory mask
wearing protocol?

-At what level of cases do we need to achieve until the mandatory mask
wearing protocol can be rescinded?

Thanks very much.

Yours faithfully,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a request under the Code of Access to Information facilitated via
the accessinfo.hk website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Is [5][Department of Health request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[6]https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[7]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
2. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
5. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
6. https://accessinfo.hk/en/change_request/...
7. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

I have asked specifically which studies you are following that shows that mask wearing stops transmission of viruses and along with a risk/ benefit analysis that overall proves they are beneficial. So far no studies have been provided. I also asked when we will be able to stop wearing masks?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Please note that the concerned application under the Code on Access to
Information was referred to Food and Health Bureau ("FHB") on 9 July 2021.

Subject to your consent, your request for internal review will be referred
to FHB for direct reply. Grateful for your consent by replying to this
email on or before 20 August 2021 (Friday).

If you have any enquiry, please contact Ms Sophy KWOK, Executive Officer
(Personnel) 3 at 3107 2593. Thank you.

Regards,
(Ms Sophy KWOK)
for Director of Health
___________________________________
Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only. It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.
----- Forwarded by Sophy KK KWOK/DH/HKSARG on 18/08/2021 08:55 -----

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 16/08/2021 15:04
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's
handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

I have asked specifically which studies you are following that shows that
mask wearing stops transmission of viruses and along with a risk/ benefit
analysis that overall proves they are beneficial. So far no studies have
been provided. I also asked when we will be able to stop wearing masks?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...
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hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Yes this is fine, thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Please be informed that your request for internal review has been referred
to Food and Health Bureau and they will reply to you directly.
The Access to Information Officers of C&SD can be reached by the following
means -

Telephone No: (852) 3509 87
Fax No: (852) 2541 3352
Email Address: [email address]
Administration Unit
Food and Health Bureau
Address: 18/F, East Wing,
Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar,
Hong Kong

Thank you.

Regards,
Ms Sophy KWOK
(for Director of Health)
___________________________________
Disclaimer : This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for
the designated recipient only. It may contain information that is
privileged for the designated recipient. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure,
copying, printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.
----- Forwarded by Sophy KK KWOK/DH/HKSARG on 18/08/2021 13:42 -----

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 18/08/2021 12:23
Subject: Re: Fw: Internal review of Freedom of Information request
- Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Yes this is fine, thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

Please note that the concerned application under the Code on Access to

Information was referred to Food and Health Bureau ("FHB") on 9 July 2021.

Subject to your consent, your request for internal review will be referred

to FHB for direct reply. Grateful for your consent by replying to this

email on or before 20 August 2021 (Friday).

If you have any enquiry, please contact Ms Sophy KWOK, Executive Officer

(Personnel) 3 at 3107 2593. Thank you.

Regards,

(Ms Sophy KWOK)

for Director of Health

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

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hide quoted sections

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application for review
under the Code on Access to Information on 18 August 2021. Your
application is now under processing. According to paragraph 1.16 of the
Code on Access to Information, you will be informed of the latest progress
of the case separately on or before 7 September 2021.

In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [1][email address] if
you have any enquiry. Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[2][FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[3][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 16/08/2021 15:04
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's
handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

I have asked specifically which studies you are following that shows that
mask wearing stops transmission of viruses and along with a risk/ benefit
analysis that overall proves they are beneficial. So far no studies have
been provided. I also asked when we will be able to stop wearing masks?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[4]https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #693 email]
3. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
4. https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...
5. mailto:[FOI #693 email]
6. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

After many months, I still have not had a worthy response on the effectiveness of mask wearing.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

I am out of the office until 08/12/2021.

For urgent matters, please contact Miss Jackie LAM, CO(Per)4 at 3107 2571 /
&DH/CO[Per]4.

Note: This is an automated response to your message "Internal review of
Freedom of Information request - Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask
Protocol" sent on 25.11.2021 03:29:59 PM.

This is the only notification you will receive while this person is away.

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

We have received your email dated 25 November 2021.

Please kindly note that the information requested regarding the captioned
subject is not in the possession of Department of Health but is held by
Food and Health Bureau ("FHB"). Subject to your consent, your request was
transferred to FHB on 18 August 2021.

For your information, your request for internal review dated 25 November
2021 has been transferred to FHB for direct handling, and the Access to
Information Officer of FHB can be reached by the following means:

Telephone No: (852) 3509 8765
Fax No: (852) 2541 3352
Email Address: [email address]
Address: 18/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong

(Miss Cheyenne LEE)

for Director of Health

___________________________________
Disclaimer: This e-mail message (together with any attachments) is for the
designated recipient only. It may contain information that is privileged
for the designated recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you
are hereby notified that any use, retention, disclosure, copying,
printing, forwarding or dissemination of the message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received the message in error, please erase all
copies of the message (including attachments) from you system and notify
the sender immediately.

----- Forwarded by Cheyenne ST LEE/DH/HKSARG on 26/11/2021 10:50 -----

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 25/11/2021 15:35
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's
handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

After many months, I still have not had a worthy response on the
effectiveness of mask wearing.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...
2. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you- yes please pass on.

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Reply request for review final.docx

16K Download View as HTML
reply email dd 2021.8.31.pdf

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Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 25 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been
referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Regarding your request dated 16
August 2021 for a review to the handling of your request for information
made on 2 July 2021, our response was issued to
[1][索取資料要求電郵#693] on 31 August 2021. Please refer
to the attached pdf file for the abovementioned reply.

(File-Checksum-00000001)

Food and Health Bureau

----- Forwarded by Enquiry FHB/FHB/HKSARG on 26/11/21 04:41 PM -----

From: Enquiry FHB/FHB/HKSARG
To: Allyson van de Pol <[索取資料要求電郵#693]>,
Date: 31/08/21 06:02 PM
Subject: *Restricted: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information
request - Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 16 August 2021 to the Department of Health has been
referred to the Food and Health Bureau. This Bureau has conducted a
review to the handling of your request for information made on 2 July
2021, to which a reply was issued on 30 July 2021. Please find our
response in the ensuing paragraphs.

As set out in our previous reply, in formulating the mandatory
mask-wearing requirement, we have taken into account the experts' and the
World Health Organization (WHO)'s advice in respect of wearing of mask as
one of the critical anti-epidemic measures, including the WHO's guidance
titled "Mask Use in the Context of COVID-19" published on 5 June 2020 and
subsequently updated on 1 December 2020 (available at
[2]https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...)
(the WHO’s guidance). In particular, the WHO’s guidance is based on,
inter alia, ongoing evaluations of all available scientific evidence
relevant to the use of masks for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the
virus that causes COVID-19) by the WHO ad hoc COVI-19 Infection Prevention
and Control Guidance Development Group.

In sum, the WHO advises the use of masks as part of a comprehensive
package of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of
COVID-19, along with other infection prevention and control measures
include hand hygiene, physical distancing of at least 1 metre, testing,
contact tracing, quarantine and isolation etc.

Knowledge about transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving
continuously as new evidence accumulates. According to the WHO’s
guidance, the virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in
small liquid particles when the person coughs, sneezes, sings, breathes
heavily or talks. Fomite transmission is considered a possible mode of
transmission for SARS-CoV-2, given consistent finding of environmental
contamination in the vicinity of people infected with SARSCoV-2 and the
fact that other coronaviruses and respiratory viruses can be transmitted
this way. Also, aerosol transmission can occur in specific situations in
which procedures that generate aerosols are performed.

In health care settings, there are scientific evidences supporting the use
of mask for preventing the spread of the virus. A systematic review of
observational studies on the betacoronaviruses that cause severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and
COVID-19 found that the use of face protection (including respirators and
medical masks) is associated with reduced risk of infection among health
workers. Also, two studies found that implementation of a universal
masking policy in hospital systems was associated with decreased risk of
healthcare-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In community settings, while there is currently no conclusive scientific
evidence on the use of mask for preventing the spread of the virus, some
studies show that wearing of mask is associated with lower risk of
infection of COVID-19. A small retrospective cohort study from Beijing
found that mask use by entire families before the first family member
developed COVID-19 symptoms was 79% effective in reducing transmission. A
case-control study from Thailand found that wearing a medical or
non-medical mask all the time during contact with a COVID19 patient was
associated with a 77% lower risk of infection. Several small
observational studies with epidemiological data have reported an
association between mask use by an infected person and prevention of
onward transmission of SARSCoV-2 infection in public settings. A number
of studies, some peer reviewed but most published as pre-prints, reported
a decline in the COVID-19 cases associated with face mask usage by the
public, using country- or region-level data.

At the same time, it should be noted that the global COVID-19 epidemic
situation is still under serious threat from the Delta variant, with acute
surges in the number of confirmed cases within a short period of time in
many countries. Despite large-scale vaccination programmes, many places
are also experiencing resurgence of the virus, which poses enormous
challenges to our local anti-epidemic efforts. While the local
vaccination rate has been increasing, it has shown signs of slowing down
in recent days and is far from the level required to prevent imported
cases from spreading in the local community.

Having regard to the above WHO’s guidance as well as other factors
including public health risk assessment, higher transmissibility of Delta
and other variants, feasibility of mandatory wearing of mask and the local
context etc., the Government considers that the mandatory mask-wearing
requirement should be maintained under the current public health
emergency, with a view to preventing the spread of the virus in the local
community which could take a heavy toll on human lives, our public
healthcare system and the economy.

If you are dissatisfied with this Bureau’s response after review, you may
also complain to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can be contacted at –
Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught
Road Central, Hong Kong
Telephone : (852) 2629 0555
Fax : (852) 2882 8149
Email: [3][電郵地址].

Food and Health Bureau

From: Enquiry FHB [[4]mailto:[電郵地址]]
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2021 9:26 AM
To: Allyson van de Pol <[5][索取資料要求電郵#693]>
Subject: *Restricted: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information
request - Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

Dear Sir/Madam,
The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application for review
under the Code on Access to Information on 18 August 2021. Your
application is now under processing. According to paragraph 1.16 of the
Code on Access to Information, you will be informed of the latest progress
of the case separately on or before 7 September 2021.
In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [6][電郵地址] if
you have any enquiry. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Mandy FUNG)
for Secretary for Food and Health

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[7][索取資料要求電郵#693]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[8][衞生署供索取資料的電郵]>
Date: 16/08/2021 15:04
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health's
handling of my FOI request 'Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol'.

I have asked specifically which studies you are following that shows that
mask wearing stops transmission of viruses and along with a risk/ benefit
analysis that overall proves they are beneficial. So far no studies have
been provided. I also asked when we will be able to stop wearing masks?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[9]https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[10][索取資料要求電郵#693]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[11]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
(File-Checksum-00000002)

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
2. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...)
3. mailto:[電郵地址]
4. mailto:[電郵地址]
5. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
6. mailto:[電郵地址]
7. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
8. mailto:[衞生署供索取資料的電郵]
9. https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/scienti...
10. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
11. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly the WHO link cannot be found.

-Please advise the number of recent community outbreaks that would necessitate the 'protection' of a mask?When will the mask wearing mandate be rescinded? Under what conditions?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

We have received your email dated 27 November 2021.

For your information, your request dated 27 November 2021 has been
transferred to FHB for direct handling.

Should you have further questions regarding the captioned subject, please
contact the Access to Information Officer of FHB by the following mean:

Telephone No: (852) 3509 8765
Fax No: (852) 2541 3352
Email Address: [email address]
Address: 18/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong

(Miss Cheyenne LEE)

for Director of Health

----- Forwarded by Cheyenne ST LEE/DH/HKSARG on 29/11/2021 09:28 -----

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 27/11/2021 12:43
Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly the WHO link cannot be found.

-Please advise the number of recent community outbreaks that would
necessitate the 'protection' of a mask?When will the mask wearing mandate
be rescinded? Under what conditions?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 25 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been

referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Regarding your request dated 16

August 2021 for a review to the handling of your request for information

made on 2 July 2021, our response was issued to

[1][索取資料要求電郵#693] on 31 August 2021. Please refer

to the attached pdf file for the abovementioned reply.

Food and Health Bureau

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[1]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

WHO 2019 nCov IPC Masks 2020.5 eng 1.pdf

582K Download View as HTML

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application referred by
the Department of Health under the Code on Access to Information on 29
November 2021.

While your application is now under processing, the WHO's guidance titled
"Mask Use in the Context of COVID-19" published on 5 June 2020 and
subsequently updated on 1 December 2020 mentioned in our previous reply is
attached below for your reference.

(File-Checksum-00000001)

According to paragraph 1.16 of the Code on Access to Information, you will
be informed of the latest progress of the case separately on or before 19
December 2021.

In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [1][電郵地址] if
you have any enquiry. Thank you.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[2][索取資料要求電郵#693]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[3][衞生署供索取資料的電郵]>
Date: 27/11/2021 12:43
Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly the WHO link cannot be found.

-Please advise the number of recent community outbreaks that would
necessitate the 'protection' of a mask?When will the mask wearing mandate
be rescinded? Under what conditions?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 25 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been

referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Regarding your request dated 16

August 2021 for a review to the handling of your request for information

made on 2 July 2021, our response was issued to

[1][索取資料要求電郵#693] on 31 August 2021. Please refer

to the attached pdf file for the abovementioned reply.

Food and Health Bureau

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][索取資料要求電郵#693]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[5]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[電郵地址]
2. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
3. mailto:[衞生署供索取資料的電郵]
4. mailto:[索取資料要求電郵#693]
5. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

WHO 2019 nCov IPC Masks 2020.5 eng 1.pdf

582K Download View as HTML

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 27 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been
referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Please find our responses in the
ensuing paragraphs.

While the local epidemic situation is stable, the global pandemic
situation remains severe. COVID-19 mutant strains including the latest
Omicron are spreading rapidly around the world. In particularly, there
are increasing scientific evidences showing that the Omicron strain has a
higher transmissibility than the other variants of concern. We must stay
vigilant and adopt stringent epidemic control measures to follow through
on the anti-epidemic strategy of guarding against the importation of cases
and the resurgence of domestic infections in order to attain the goal of
dynamic 'zero infection'.

As of 15 December 2021, Hong Kong has already detected nine COVID-19 cases
carrying the Omicron strain. While the local vaccination rate has reached
70%, it has yet to reach the level required to prevent imported cases from
spreading in the local community. The current stable epidemic situation
would not be possible without the comprehensive anti-epidemic measures
from all fronts, including wearing of mask by the general public,
quarantine of inbound travelers and compulsory testing on persons with
high risk of infection etc. The Government must maintain and even step up
the necessary anti-epidemic measures to guard against COVID-19 cases
especially those carrying Omicron from importing into Hong Kong and, worse
still, causing a community outbreak.

As advised in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s relevant guidance
(available at
[1]https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...),
the use of masks should be adopted as part of a comprehensive package of
prevention and control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, along
with other infection prevention and control measures include hand hygiene,
physical distancing of at least 1 metre, testing, contact tracing,
quarantine and isolation etc. Under the current severe global pandemic
situation which is aggravated by the rapidly spreading Omicron strain, the
use of masks is a necessary integral part of the Government’s overall
anti-epidemic measures.

Having regard to the above WHO’s guidance, higher transmissibility of
Omicron and other variants in circulation such as Delta, public health
risk assessment, feasibility of mandatory wearing of mask and the local
context etc., the Government considers that the mandatory mask-wearing
requirement should be maintained under the current public health
emergency. The measure is of paramount importance in preventing the
spread of the virus in the local community, which could take a heavy toll
on human lives, our public healthcare system and the economy.

The Government will continue to review and adjust the social distancing
measures including the mask-wearing requirement from time to time, having
regard to, inter alia, the development of the epidemic situation, risk
assessment and experts' advice.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Enquiry FHB [[2]mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 3:30 PM
To: Allyson van de Pol <[3][FOI #693 email]>
Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application referred by
the Department of Health under the Code on Access to Information on 29
November 2021.

While your application is now under processing, the WHO's guidance titled
"Mask Use in the Context of COVID-19" published on 5 June 2020 and
subsequently updated on 1 December 2020 mentioned in our previous reply is
attached below for your reference.
(File-Checksum-00000001)

According to paragraph 1.16 of the Code on Access to Information, you will
be informed of the latest progress of the case separately on or before 19
December 2021.

In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [4][email address] if
you have any enquiry. Thank you.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[5][FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[6][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 27/11/2021 12:43
Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly the WHO link cannot be found.

-Please advise the number of recent community outbreaks that would
necessitate the 'protection' of a mask?When will the mask wearing mandate
be rescinded? Under what conditions?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 25 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been

referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Regarding your request dated 16

August 2021 for a review to the handling of your request for information

made on 2 July 2021, our response was issued to

[1][索取資料要求電郵#693] on 31 August 2021. Please refer

to the attached pdf file for the abovementioned reply.

Food and Health Bureau

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[7][FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[8]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FOI #693 email]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[FOI #693 email]
6. mailto:[Department of Health request email]
7. mailto:[FOI #693 email]
8. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Department of Health,

Can you please confirm whether the usage of masks is a legal requirement in Hong Kong or if it is just recommended?

Please advise with yes/ no answers and the legal frame work if the answer is yes.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

Dear Allyson van de Pol,

As explained in our previous emails on 9 July, 26 November and 29 November
2021, the information requested regarding the captioned subject is not in
the possession of Department of Health but is held by Food and Health
Bureau ("FHB"). Subject to your consent, your request was transferred to
FHB on 9 July 2021 for direct handling.

Further to your preceding email dated 19 December 2021, please note that
the request has been transferred to FHB and your request will be handled
by FHB directly.

Please be informed that our Department has no information on the captioned
subject and you may contact the Access to Information Officer of FHB
directly for the immediate response. Below the contact details of the
Access to Information Officer of FHB:

Telephone No: (852) 3509 8765
Fax No: (852) 2541 3352
Email Address: [email address]
Address: 18/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong

(Miss Cheyenne LEE)

for Director of Health

From: Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date: 19/12/2021 16:54
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Can you please confirm whether the usage of masks is a legal requirement
in Hong Kong or if it is just recommended?

Please advise with yes/ no answers and the legal frame work if the answer
is yes.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 27 November 2021 to the Department of Health has been

referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Please find our responses in the

ensuing paragraphs.

While the local epidemic situation is stable, the global pandemic

situation remains severe. COVID-19 mutant strains including the latest

Omicron are spreading rapidly around the world. In particularly, there

are increasing scientific evidences showing that the Omicron strain has a

higher transmissibility than the other variants of concern. We must stay

vigilant and adopt stringent epidemic control measures to follow through

on the anti-epidemic strategy of guarding against the importation of cases

and the resurgence of domestic infections in order to attain the goal of

dynamic 'zero infection'.

As of 15 December 2021, Hong Kong has already detected nine COVID-19 cases

carrying the Omicron strain. While the local vaccination rate has reached

70%, it has yet to reach the level required to prevent imported cases from

spreading in the local community. The current stable epidemic situation

would not be possible without the comprehensive anti-epidemic measures

from all fronts, including wearing of mask by the general public,

quarantine of inbound travelers and compulsory testing on persons with

high risk of infection etc. The Government must maintain and even step up

the necessary anti-epidemic measures to guard against COVID-19 cases

especially those carrying Omicron from importing into Hong Kong and, worse

still, causing a community outbreak.

As advised in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s relevant guidance

(available at

[1][1]https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...),

the use of masks should be adopted as part of a comprehensive package of

prevention and control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, along

with other infection prevention and control measures include hand hygiene,

physical distancing of at least 1 metre, testing, contact tracing,

quarantine and isolation etc. Under the current severe global pandemic

situation which is aggravated by the rapidly spreading Omicron strain, the

use of masks is a necessary integral part of the Government’s overall

anti-epidemic measures.

Having regard to the above WHO’s guidance, higher transmissibility of

Omicron and other variants in circulation such as Delta, public health

risk assessment, feasibility of mandatory wearing of mask and the local

context etc., the Government considers that the mandatory mask-wearing

requirement should be maintained under the current public health

emergency. The measure is of paramount importance in preventing the

spread of the virus in the local community, which could take a heavy toll

on human lives, our public healthcare system and the economy.

The Government will continue to review and adjust the social distancing

measures including the mask-wearing requirement from time to time, having

regard to, inter alia, the development of the epidemic situation, risk

assessment and experts' advice.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Enquiry FHB [[2]mailto:[email address]]

Sent: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 3:30 PM

To: Allyson van de Pol <[3][FOI #693 email]>

Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -

Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has received your application referred by

the Department of Health under the Code on Access to Information on 29

November 2021.

While your application is now under processing, the WHO's guidance titled

"Mask Use in the Context of COVID-19" published on 5 June 2020 and

subsequently updated on 1 December 2020 mentioned in our previous reply is

attached below for your reference.

According to paragraph 1.16 of the Code on Access to Information, you will

be informed of the latest progress of the case separately on or before 19

December 2021.

In the meantime, please contact us by e-mail at [4][email address] if

you have any enquiry. Thank you.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Allyson van de Pol

<[5][FOI #693 email]>

To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[6][Department of Health
request email]>

Date: 27/11/2021 12:43

Subject: Re: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -

Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Department of Health,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly the WHO link cannot be found.

-Please advise the number of recent community outbreaks that would

necessitate the 'protection' of a mask?When will the mask wearing mandate

be rescinded? Under what conditions?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #693 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[2]https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
2. https://accessinfo.hk/en/help/officers

hide quoted sections

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your email dated 19 December 2021 to the Department of Health has been
referred to the Food and Health Bureau. Please find our responses in the
ensuing paragraphs.

The Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap.
599I) came into effect on 15 July 2020. Pursuant to Cap. 599I, during a
period of not more than 14 days as specified by the Secretary for Food and
Health by notice published in the Gazette (the specified period), a person
must wear a mask at all times when the person is boarding or on board a
public transport carrier, is entering or present in an MTR paid area, or
is entering or present in a specified public place (i.e. all public
places, save for outdoor public places in country parks and special areas
as defined in section 2 of the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) in
accordance with the latest specification). The mandatory mask-wearing
requirement under Cap. 599I has been extended to the specified period of
23 December 2021 to 5 January 2022. In other words, the mask-wearing
requirement in the aforementioned places is a statutory requirement.

Under Cap. 599I, if a person does not wear a mask in accordance with the
requirement, an authorised person may deny that person from boarding a
public transport carrier or entering the area concerned, as well as
require that person to wear a mask and disembark from the carrier or leave
the said area. A person in contravention of the relevant provision
commits an offence and the maximum penalty is a fine at level 3
($10,000). In addition, authorised public officers may issue fixed
penalty notices to persons who do not wear a mask in accordance with the
requirement and such persons may discharge liability for the offence by
paying a fixed penalty of $5,000.

Food and Health Bureau

From: Allyson van de Pol
<[1][FOI #693 email]>
To: FOI requests at Department of Health <[2][Department of Health request email]>
Date: 19/12/2021 16:54
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request -
Scientific Evidence Supporting Mask Protocol