Focus Taiwan
Date: 01/29/2020
By: Yeh Su-ping, Chang Ming-hsuan and Matthew Mazzetta

Taipei, Jan. 29 (CNA) Taiwan's Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) on Wednesday said the government is taking measures to guarantee the domestic supply of surgical face masks, and urged the public not to hoard masks amid fears over the spread of a new form of coronavirus.

During a visit to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), Su said the Ministry of Health and Welfare will release 23 million masks onto the market in the coming days, and has prohibited their export as a precautionary measure.

Combined with the government's efforts, manufacturers will increase daily production of masks to 4 million following the Lunar New Year holiday, Su said.

The premier's remarks follow the CECC's confirmation Tuesday night of Taiwan's first domestic case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-cCoV).    [FULL  STORY]