This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Evidence of efficacy of mask usage for Covid-19'.




 
 
133 Molesworth Street 
PO Box 5013 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
T+64 4 496 2000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paul Roberts 
 
By email:  [FYI request #13586 email] 
Ref:   
H202006461 
 
Dear Paul Roberts 
 
Response to your request for official information 
 
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 24 August 2020 
for: 
 
“Announced by Prime Minster at 3pm 24th August 2020, the mandatory wearing of a 
mask on public transport.  
1) Would you please provide all evidence on the efficacy of mandatory mask wearing? 
2) Provide all documentation surrounding the discussion leading to this mandate? 
3) Was all the medical literature that shows wearing masks have no effect on viral 
transmission summerised here 
https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&d=4LfD34V3XK5wYiqFN5ckk7XBRtv9NPb-
NebM7QxVnw&u=https%3a%2f%2fwww%2esott%2enet%2farticle%2f434796-The-
Science-is-Conclusive-Masks-and-Respirators-do-NOT-Prevent-Transmission-of-Viruses 
taken into consideration? 
4) Have the officials involved in this decision, seen how masks don't prevent transmission 
as they are designed to exhale the gases and NOT trap them which can be clearly seen 
and reproduced with a simple test as seen in video like 
https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&d=4LfD34V3XK5wYiqFN5ckk7XBRtv9NPb-
NbSf7V9enw&u=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu%2ebe%2fSrPCgh4UkAU and 
https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&d=4LfD34V3XK5wYiqFN5ckk7XBRtv9NPb-
NePNul4NzQ&u=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu%2ebe%2fzJ6k1RHE4QA” 
 
Please be advised that the information requested is withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act, 
as it is under active consideration. The release of this information at this time would be likely to 
prejudice the ability of government to consider advice and the wider public interest in effective 
government would not be served. 
 
You may be interested to know that some information relating to face mask use has been 
proactively released as part of the Government's health response to COVID-19. This 
information can be found publicly available at the following address: 
https:/ covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/legislation-and-key-documents/proactive-
release/health-response/. 
 


Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision 
to refuse your request. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
Nick Allan 
Manager, OIA Services 
Office of the Director-General 
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