Taiwan to Spend $35 Billion Fighting Virus, to Donate 10 Million Masks

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen listens to a presentation at a non woven filter fabric factory, where the fabric is used to make surgical face masks, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on March 30, 2020. Ann Wang/Reuters

TAIPEI—Taiwan dramatically upped its estimate for how much it would spend helping the economy deal with the impact of the coronavirus to $35 billion on April 1, and said it would donate 10 million face masks to the most needy countries.

Taiwan has reported 329 cases of the virus, including five deaths, winning plaudits for its early and so far effective measures to control the virus, especially compared to many of its neighbors. But, the export-reliant island’s economy has wilted in the face of the pandemic’s spread.