The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre said in a statement on Friday that the masks provided by the local government follow the “technical requirements GB2626-2019”, i.e., the “national standards of the People’s Republic of China governing KN95 masks”.
The statement pointed out that masks certified with this standard can filter 95 percent or more particles, a higher filtration rate for fine particles than surgical masks.
The Comprehensive Team of the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism’s “Guidelines for the Public and Key Occupational Groups on Wearing Masks (August 2021 Edition)”, according to the statement, underline that the masks of this standard can provide enough protection for even medical institution staff who come in contact with “potentially contaminated objects” at work.
The statement emphasised that the KN95 masks distributed by the government “can effectively prevent COVID-19”, reminding the public to ensure that the nose, mouth and chin are fully covered when wearing one, while the nose clip should be firmly moulded to the nose. The mask should be replaced immediately when it is dirty, deformed, damaged or has an odd smell. “The correct use of masks is the key to effective protection”, the statement underlined.
Pharma bureau clarifies differences between masks’ performance standards
Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Saturday by the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF), the differences in performance standards between the KF94 and KN95 protective masks were highlighted.
The statement pointed out that KF94 is the standard for protective masks adopted in Korea, with a “primary performance standard of filtering over 94 percent of airborne particles”.
KN95, meanwhile, is the standard for protective masks adopted by the mainland, while N95 is adopted by the United States. Both can filter over 95 percent of airborne particles, with performance standards of KF94 protective masks not being higher than either of them.
This photo taken yesterday shows a standard KN95 facemask distributed by the Macau government. Photo: Rui Pastorin
