Resale Of CSI Masks 'isolated Cases', Says Ombudsman

An investigation by the Ombudsman has found no evidence that masks made for government departments were being systematically resold in the private sector, following reports earlier this year that the masks were misused by staff.

The Ombudsman, Winnie Chiu, acknowledged that some CSI masks have been leaked to the open market, but insisted these were isolated cases involving expired masks.

The government watchdog published its findings on Thursday after more than nine months of investigation into the masks marked CSI – made by prisoners at the Correctional Services Industries. They were given to officials, civil servants and police officers. Some had also been sold to social welfare organisations previously.

The government-made masks came under the spotlight as people in Hong Kong scrambled for face masks at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, with reports saying CSI masks were sold in local shops.

"We have already identified that there is a leakage of CSI masks, as can be seen in the C&E (Customs and Excise Department) case in which 10 CSI masks, although they're expired masks, being seized," Chiu said.

But she suggested that no particular government departments or officers be held responsible. "But our current direct investigation is targeting on investigating any loophole in the system on the production, supply, distribution and storage of the CSI masks. We are not looking at individual officers' conduct."

Still, Chiu said government departments should improve in the way they record the storage and distributions of masks – when there had been no such regulation on the item prior to the pandemic.

The Ombudsman added that there are lax procedures for the disposal of expired face masks, increasing the risk of them being misused or abused.

In response, the Government Logistics Department said it will follow up on the Ombudsman's recommendations, including formulating and issuing guidelines for bureaus and departments on the management of masks and other personal protective equipment items.

In another investigation announced by the Ombudsman on Thursday, it urged a government office responsible for investigating water seepage to speed up its work.

It said the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints took more than 90 days to complete many of their probes.

According to guidelines, they should finish their probe and inform the complainant of the results within 90 days.

Chiu said the joint office – comprising staff from the Food and Environmental Hygiene as well as Buildings departments – needs to improve their work-flow and clear the huge backlog of more than 23,000 cases as of June.