The Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB) announced on May 5 that Hong Kong Government will distribute free reusable CuMask+™ to all Hong Kong citizens.
      
The CuMask+™ is developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. It is a six-layer mask with special ergonomic features. Two of its layers contain copper which is capable of immobilising bacteria, common viruses and other harmful substances. The mask complies with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2100 Level 1 Standard in terms of particle filtration efficiency (PFE), bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), resistance to penetration by synthetic blood, flammability and pressure resistance, and is reusable for up to 60 washes.

Except for babies and infants, all holders of valid Hong Kong identity cards are eligible to obtain a CuMask+™. Citizens simply need to register on the CuMask+™ website (qmask.gov.hk) from 7am on May 6. The registration period will last until June 6 and each registration can cater for a maximum of six persons. In general, upon successful registration, the CuMask+™ will be delivered to the door by Hongkong Post within two weeks.
      
Primary and kindergarten students will each be given two masks. These child and child (small) sized CuMask+™ will be delivered directly to children's schools.  The Government has also arranged delivery of over 140,000 CuMask+™ to residential homes and social welfare institutions for their distribution to those including elderly and the homeless.

CuMask+™ is a home-grown scientific research achievement. The whole process has involved co-operation between the Government, industry, academia and the research sector.   The birth of CuMask+™ was enabled by the Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund. The patented design adopted by CuMask+™ was developed with the support of the Innovation and Technology Fund, and was awarded a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2018. Not only that the mask can be washed 60 times, it can even be used for a long period after replacing the filter.
      
To know more about CuMask+™,check their website (qmask.gov.hk).