[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] As the government urgently provided 143,000 masks for Korean residents throughout China amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), mask distribution will begin in Beijing starting tomorrow.
On the 30th, the Korean Embassy in China and the Korean Residents Safety Center of the Beijing Korean Association announced through the '1st Distribution Notice of Relief Supplies Supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea' that masks, hand sanitizers, and non-contact infrared thermometers will be distributed in Beijing over two days, January 31 and February 1. The distribution targets Koreans residing in China and their families, Korean organizations in China, and areas densely populated by Koreans.
Masks will be distributed at three per family member, and hand sanitizers will be delivered to the Korean International School, Korean-run academies and kindergartens, Korean restaurants, Korean banks, and religious organizations. Non-contact infrared thermometers will be distributed to the Korean International School, Korean language schools, libraries, and the Korean Association.
The Korean Consulate General in Shanghai also announced on the same day that it will distribute 30,000 masks urgently sent by our government to Korean residents in its jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the Shanghai Consulate General includes Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, and Anhui Province, and distribution is mainly carried out through Korean associations in each city.
In the case of the Shanghai Korean Chamber of Commerce (Korean Association), five masks per Korean resident will be distributed, with priority given to families with elderly and minors due to the limited quantity. It is estimated that there are about 70,000 Koreans including students, businesspeople, and office workers within the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Consulate General.
As the spread of the novel coronavirus accelerates, the demand for masks in China has suddenly increased, making it very difficult to obtain masks with protective effects such as N95 masks in China. Additionally, due to the mask shortage, some companies are attempting to make exorbitant profits by raising prices unreasonably.
The government previously announced that it would distribute 143,000 masks of three types ? N95 masks (82,000), KF94 masks (35,000), and disposable dental masks (26,000) ? to Korean residents throughout China amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. In addition to masks, 3,730 bottles of 500ml hand sanitizer, 1,500 portable hand sanitizers, and portable infrared thermometers will also be distributed to Korean residents in China.
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