Changes to mask/face covering requirements, lack of support for those impacted
Jeremy Nimmo made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
The request was partially successful.
From: Jeremy Nimmo
Dear Ministry of Health,
All communications, advice, reports, notes, agendas, meeting attendance lists, minutes, and decision documents relating to:
1) The decision to ban the use of bandanas and other facial coverings that can be utilized at low or no cost for protection in areas where masks are required, as an equivalent substitute for commercial masks, despite the fact that numerous scientific studies have proven they are more effective than the masks the MoH suggests citizens buy from Foodstuffs and Woolworths (c.f. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8168).
This should particularly include communications with agencies such as the NZ Police lobbying against facial coverings for non-medical reasons, or commercial entities seeking to lobby for changes to mask requirements.
2) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial compensation or deliveries of masks, to workers now required to wear more expensive 'medical masks', or require their employers to provide said masks.
3) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial compensation or deliveries of masks, to citizens now required to buy masks.
Regards,
Jeremy
From: OIA Requests
Thank you for your Official Information Act request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.
In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. This
means we may take some time in responding to your request. The Ministry
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OIA responses considered to be of public interest:
[2]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
Please also refer to the Unite Against Covid-19 website for copies of
papers, minutes, and key advice for the decisions the Government has made
relating to COVID-19.
Sometimes we may need to clarify aspects of a request. You can expect to
hear from us soon if that is the case here.
Ngā mihi,
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [3][email address]
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References
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1. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. mailto:[email address]
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Jeremy,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200790.
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [2][email address]
show quoted sections
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Jeremy,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200790.
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [2][email address]
show quoted sections
From: OIA Requests
Tēnā koe Jeremy
Thank you for your requests under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 1 February 2022:
“ All communications, advice, reports, notes, agendas,
meeting attendance lists, minutes, and decision documents relating to:
1) The decision to ban the use of bandanas and other facial coverings that
can be utilized at low or no cost for protection in areas where masks are
required, as an equivalent substitute for commercial masks, despite the
fact that numerous scientific studies have proven they are more effective
than the masks the MoH suggests citizens buy from Foodstuffs and
Woolworths (c.f.doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8168).
This should particularly include communications with agencies such as the
NZ Police lobbying against facial coverings for non-medical reasons, or
commercial entities seeking to lobby for changes to mask requirements.
2) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial
compensation or deliveries of masks, to workers now required to wear more
expensive 'medical masks', or require their employers to provide said
masks.
3) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial
compensation or deliveries of masks, to citizens now required to buy
masks.”
The Ministry does not hold the information relating to part 1 of your
request; however, I have been advised that this information is more
closely aligned with the functions of the Department of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet (DPMC). For this reason, I have decided to transfer part 1
of your request to DPMC under section 14(b)(i) of the Act. You may expect
a response from them in due course.
Please note, the Ministry will respond to parts 2 and 3 of your request in
due course.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[2]Ministry of Health information releases
[3]Unite against COVID-19
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/
From: OIA Requests
Tēnā koe Jeremy
Thank you for your requests under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 1 February 2022:
All communications, advice, reports, notes, agendas, meeting attendance
lists, minutes, and decision documents relating to:
1) The decision to ban the use of bandanas and other facial coverings that
can be utilized at low or no cost for protection in areas where masks are
required, as an equivalent substitute for commercial masks, despite the
fact that numerous scientific studies have proven they are more effective
than the masks the MoH suggests citizens buy from Foodstuffs and
Woolworths (c.f.doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8168).
This should particularly include communications with agencies such as the
NZ Police lobbying against facial coverings for non-medical reasons, or
commercial entities seeking to lobby for changes to mask requirements.
2) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial
compensation or deliveries of masks, to workers now required to wear more
expensive 'medical masks', or require their employers to provide said
masks.
3) The decision to not provide any sort of relief, such as financial
compensation or deliveries of masks, to citizens now required to buy
masks.”
On 25 February, The Ministry notified you that part 1 of your request had
been transferred to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(DPMC).
One Cabinet paper has been identified within scope of these parts of your
request. The Cabinet paper “COVID-19 Protection Framework: Updates to Red
settings” is intended to be proactively released by DMPC in due course,
therefore, your request has been refused under section 18(d) of the act,
as information requested will soon be publicly available. Please find all
current guidance here: [1]national infection, prevention and control
guidance which notes the recommendation to wear medical masks in all
traffic light settings. This also includes references to studies /
scientific evidence which is available here:
[2]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/the_role_of_medical_masks_and_particulate_respirators_110821.pdf.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[4]Ministry of Health information releases
[5]Unite against COVID-19
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-nove...
2. http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/d...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/
From: Jeremy Nimmo
Dear OIA Requests,
The delayed disclosure of the 'COVID-19 Protection Framework: Updates to Red settings' paper revealed that the DPMC purports that changes to what facial coverings were permissible where facial coverings are required were made as a result of 'the advice of the IPC Technical Advisory Group (page 5).
The IPC Technical Advisory Group is, to quote an article on the Ministry of Health website:
https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
"part of the Ministry [of Health's]’s response to COVID-19."
To reiterate the question that I originally asked on February 1, far past the deadline for you to produce a response in compliance with Official Information Act requirements, was the ban imposed on "bandanas and other facial coverings that can be utilized at low or no cost for protection in areas where masks are required" really done on the basis of "advice" from the "part of the "Ministry of Health", as the DPMC seems to be attempting to suggest, or are they simply being dishonest? As you have now delayed more than a month past your statutory obligations, I would be happy to get in contact regularly to enquire when you will be responding to this overdue request.
Happy Easter,
Jeremy
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Jeremy,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 14 April 2022. You
asked:
“… was the ban imposed on "bandanas and other facial coverings that can be
utilized at low or no cost for protection in areas where masks are
required" really done on the basis of "advice" from the "part of the
"Ministry of Health", as the DPMC seems to be attempting to suggest, or
are they simply being dishonest?”
It is generally agreed that a mask is better for protection than a triple
layered bandana which doesn’t have equivalent mechanisms to secure the
material barrier to the wearer’s face. Information to the public and the
wearing of masks changed due to increasing understanding on how COVID-19
spreads and especially due to the transmission of the Omicron variant. The
advice became that “a mask – one that is secured to a person’s face either
by ear loops or ties, be worn rather than a scarf, bandana or clothing
pulled up over a person’s mouth or nose and mouth. “
It is recommended that masks should have at least three layers to provide
filtration and protection. (see information from the World Health
Organization: COVID-19 infection prevention and control living guideline:
mask use in community settings, 22 December
2021 here: [1]www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC_masks-2021.1.
The public advice on the Ministry
webpage [2]www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community does
advise people to ensure that their mask is well fitting and provides some
suggestions on how this can be achieved.
The Ministry recommends the wearing of a three layer re-useable cloth mask
or a medical mask for all persons including those with beards in the
current Omicron settings. Additional advice can be found on the Unite
against COVID-19 website
here: [3]covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/keep-up-healthy-habits/wear-a-face-mask/.
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [4][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [5][email address]
show quoted sections
References
Visible links
1. http://www.who.int/publications/i/item/W...
2. http://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay...
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
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Athina Andonatou left an annotation ()
I just want to acknowledge your tenacity. And this also serves as another example of why we do not want the new International Health Regulations the WHO are pushing through, we've seen our incompetent they are - their recommendations are unable to be trusted
Link to this