Coronavirus: mask giveaways in Hong Kong draw thousands with infection fear still gripping city
- Companies step in with free surgical masks for residents, who line up to condemn government’s response
- Administration set to legislate against overcharging and hoarding of the protective coverings
Two private companies in Kowloon each promised to hand out 10,000 masks to members of the public on Monday afternoon, drawing crowds of people desperate to protect themselves from the deadly pathogen that originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
Galaxy Engineering Holding said the first 2,000 people who showed up outside its premises in Tai Kok Tsui would be given up to five masks each. A large queue had already formed by noon, extending along Tai Kok Tsui Road, a major thoroughfare in the area.
In Mong Kok, telecoms company HGC Global Communication (HGC) announced masks would be available without charge from 2pm for the first 1,000 people in line.
One resident surnamed Cheung was one of the first waiting outside Galaxy Engineering when he arrived at 8.30am, five hours before the giveaway was due to start.
