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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