Guatemalan Ambassador Willy Alberto Gómez Tirado has thanked Taiwan for a donation of surgical masks intended to help his country prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Gómez was speaking Thursday during a press conference jointly organized by the foreign ministry and Taiwan’s overseas trade council. The press conference was aimed at introducing Taiwan-made protective gear and medical supplies to Central American allies Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
During the event, foreign ministry official Y.C. Tsai said that Taiwan has recently donated 15 million surgical masks, 230,000 N95 masks, as well as protective clothing and testing kits to its Central American allies. Tsai said that Taiwan has provided non-material assistance as well because of the need to cooperate in the fight against COVID-19.
In response, Guatemala’s ambassador said that Taiwan’s donation of masks was appreciated, and that it had given Guatemala’s people the freedom to go outdoors after a long period under lockdown.