Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che Inspects Hengda Mask Production Line, Awards Bonus Pay in Appreciation

On the first working day of the year, as Taiwan, China remains on high alert for Wuhan pneumonia prevention, and to prevent public panic that could lead to unnecessary stockpiling, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che visited Hengda Co., Ltd. in Baihe District to inspect mask production. City Councilors Shen Chia-feng and Li Tsung-han were also present to show concern about mask supply and inventory control, jointly urging the public to cooperate with the central government's disease prevention policy and not to panic.

Mayor Huang Wei-che stated that in response to the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak, 5 factories producing medical-grade masks are currently cooperating fully to maximize production capacity. Based on the on-site inspection of Hengda's situation, with additional production lines running 24 hours without stopping, daily capacity can reach 400,000 masks. Tainan City's overall daily capacity exceeds 850,000 masks, so the public need not panic excessively or stockpile in large quantities. Appropriate and adequate precautions are sufficient. Do not hoard masks privately, which would prevent frontline medical staff, police, firefighters, and counter service personnel from being able to purchase masks. In addition, in line with the central government's disease prevention policy, besides monitoring the production side of masks, the city government will also send consumer protection officers to major retail channels to understand the supply situation on the consumer end, and to investigate any improper hoarding or price gouging. Mayor Huang Wei-che also specially awarded Hengda Co., Ltd. 20,000 yuan in bonus pay, thanking the company for cooperating with the policy by starting operations early to prepare materials, and showing consideration for the hard work of mask production line employees.

The Tainan City Health Bureau also reminds the public to develop good habits such as taking body temperature regularly, washing hands frequently with soap, and avoiding crowded enclosed spaces. Those with respiratory symptoms or fever can call 1922 for medical consultation. When it is absolutely necessary to go out or visit medical institutions, please wear a medical mask to protect yourself and others. If the public has any questions, they can call the toll-free disease prevention hotline 1922, or visit the Centers for Disease Control website for relevant information at: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/