The Ministry of Health has today advised DHBs that three quarters of the 4.9 million PPE masks put on hold earlier this month are now cleared and able to be used.
On 12 June, the Ministry requested that the 4.9 million be put on hold. The masks were withdrawn as a precautionary move to allow further quality assurance from suppliers and manufacturers to take place.
Concerns related to inconsistencies in labelling and certification. Now it has cleared three types of personal protective equipment (PPE) masks as meeting appropriate standards which means 3.7 million masks can now be put back into circulation.
Compliance checks continue for the remaining 1.2 million masks on hold while the Ministry works with the suppliers on verification.