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
regularly updates information about the COVID-19 situation and publishes
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

Visible links
1. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Chris,

 

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200589.  

 

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]

 

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Kia ora Chris, 

  

Thank you for your request for information received on 25 January 2022
for: 

  

“Can you please supply the evidence and details of studies that
demonstrate the specific reduction in the risk of catching and the risk of
passing on Covid from mask wearing in comparison to not wearing masks and
how the government determines the relative risk to guide policy making.” 

  

Please note the Ministry of Health does not conduct scientific research or
studies. Please refer to online scientific studies for further
information: [1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.   

  

The Ministry constantly reviews international studies and evidence on mask
wearing in the community setting. Our current advice aligns with that of
the World Health Organization
(WHO): [2]www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak.  

  

As part of reviewing international evidence, the Ministry considers other
advice from international organisations including Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention, Public Health England, the European Centre for
Disease Control and Prevention, Australian jurisdictions and a range of
scientific and medical journals.    

  

The information is collated through Ministry specialist technical advisory
groups whose membership include a variety of expert professions such as
infection prevention and control, public health, infectious diseases,
microbiology and primary care. When reviewing evidence, we ensure it is
applicable to the current New Zealand situation and can be applied in our
context.   

Please refer to the below previously released responses regarding masks:  

  

·        
[3]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h202006250_20_oct_2020.pdf.  

·        
[4]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h202008732_15_dec_2020_0.pdf.  

  

Some publicly available studies you may be interested in can be found
here:   

  

·        
[5]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/csu_23_july_2021_delta_-_viral_load_and_incubation_period_masks_and_hepa_filters_impact_on_aerosols.pdf.  

·         [6]www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7027e1-H.pdf  

·         [7]www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7027e1-H.pdf  

·        
[8]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/csu_23_july_2021_delta_-_viral_load_and_incubation_period_masks_and_hepa_filters_impact_on_aerosols.pdf  

  

The Ministry also regularly updates the Science News page for up to
date information regarding COVID-19 and the
Vaccine: [9]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...

  

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: [10][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.    

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[11]Ministry of Health information releases

[12]Unite against COVID-19

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References

Visible links
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
2. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...(2019-ncov)-outbreak
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
4. http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/d...
5. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
6. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
7. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
8. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
9. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
10. mailto:[email address]
11. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
12. https://covid19.govt.nz/