2nd CuMask Distribution To Start

The Government will distribute the second adult-sized CuMask to eligible citizens for free starting next Monday, the Innovation & Technology Bureau announced today.

Those who registered online from May 6 to June 6 will receive the second mask if they have given consent to the Government for using their registration data for distribution of other masks and have received the first one delivered by Hongkong Post.

The main registrant will receive an SMS message with a tracking number before delivery. Hongkong Post will deliver the mask to the registered address within three working days after the SMS is sent.

If there is an independent letter box of sufficient size, the mask will be placed into it. Otherwise, it will be delivered to the door.

Upon completion of Hongkong Post's second round of deliveries, those who have not obtained the mask may collect it at designated collection points in person or authorise others to do so on their behalf from early October. Details will be announced later.

The CuMask was developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles & Apparel (HKRITA).

The bureau said prior to the first round of distribution, the mask had undergone testing by an internationally accredited laboratory.

It was confirmed that the mask complies with the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) F2100 Level 1 standard in terms of Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE), Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE), resistance to penetration by synthetic blood, flammability, and pressure resistance, and is reusable for up to 60 times.

Additionally, the bureau provided the CuMask to Nelson Laboratories, LLC in the US for further testing.

The results also showed that the quality of the mask still complies with relevant international standards in terms of PFE and BFE before it is washed and after it has been washed for 40 and 60 times, confirming again that it suffices for daily protection in the community.

Noting that some citizens have confused micro-copper with nano-copper, the bureau reiterated that the mask's antibacterial layer contains micro-copper, but not nano-copper. Micro-copper is 1,000 times bigger than nano-copper.

Regarding public concerns over the safety of copper substances in the mask, the HKRITA commissioned a locally accredited laboratory to conduct tests under a setup of simulated breathing devices to find out whether the mask would release copper substances during normal breathing.

The results revealed that no copper substances are released before the mask is washed and after it has been washed for 20, 40 and 60 times.

The bureau added that the micro-copper in the antibacterial layer is embedded in the fibres during the spinning process, and that it is tightly wrapped and could hardly shed. The public does not have to worry about breathing in related substances.

Call 3142 2313 or contact the WhatsApp helpline 9617 1823 for enquiries.