Taiwan has hit its target of producing more than 13 million surgical masks a day.
As fears about COVID-19 sent demand for masks soaring, the government stepped in. In late January, it banned the export of masks, and in early February, it launched a plan to significantly increase mask production. A team of technicians set up 90 new production lines and brought them online in 40 days. Members of the armed forces were also called in to help ramp up production.
The goal at the time was to have daily production break the 13 million mark in early April. However, the economics ministry announced that Taiwan reached this target on Tuesday.
Now, the economics ministry says it is considering ramping up the production of the N95 masks used by medical professionals to ensure that those on the frontlines against COVID-19 have an adequate supply.