New Firms To Deliver Face Masks From April

Companies being set up with government subsidies are to start delivering face masks from April onwards.

The government announced on Friday that it would provide subsidies of up to HK$4.5 million to two local companies that had committed to manufacture face masks.

The two firms are the first to be granted the money under a fund set up by the government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

One company, Topwill Passion, said it can supply 2 million masks to the government and 250,000 masks for the local market every month, starting from April 20.

The Commerce and Economic Bureau said the company will be given up to HK$2.5 million, depending on the actual expenditure for the production equipment and the setting up of the venue.

Another company, Shang Manufactory, said it can supply 800,000 masks to the government every month starting from May 5. It may receive up to HK$2 million from the government.

The subsidy scheme attracted 82 applicants and the bureau said only five other applicants met all the eligibility criteria for the money.

Under the plan, up to 20 companies were to be granted funds to manufacture face masks.

A shortage of face masks amid the Covid-19 outbreak has led to a surge in prices.

Long queues were seen on the streets across the city when people scrambled to buy masks in a bid to prevent infections.