Premier Su Tseng-chang says a special budget passed last week will be spent on COVID-19 prevention and boosting the economy. Su was speaking Tuesday at the legislature.

Since the new coronavirus outbreak began in China last December, Taiwan has reported 42 confirmed infections, including one death. The local economy has also taken a hit by the outbreak.  

The government has allocated NT$ 60 billion (US$ 2 billion) to address the issue. Su said about NT$40.4 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) will be spent on helping industries hit hard by the outbreak. These measures include loans, interest subsidies, taxes, and subsidies for companies. The art and culture industry as well as industries supplying domestic demand are among those included. The rest of the NT$19.6 billion (US$653 million) is to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The funds will be used to set up screening centers and as subsidies for the transport industry and schools.  

Su said Taiwan will be able to make 820,000 facial masks per day this week. In two weeks when 60 new machines begin operating, Taiwan will be able to make 10 million face masks a day, making it the second largest mask producer in the world.