China donates 500,000 masks at Felipe VI's request; Local Chinese communities supply protection to police and health workers

All over Spain, residents originally from China have been handing over huge consignments of masks, and earlier today (Friday), King Felipe VI spoke to the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation to express his thanks for a 'Coronavirus pack' which arrived safely in the country.

It includes testing kits and over half a million masks, which were flown into Zaragoza (Aragón) and will be distributed to where they are most needed over the next few days.

Health authorities are advising people to avoid buying disposable masks unless they are actually infected or in contact with anyone who is, but recommends that anyone who has a non-disposable one at home – such as cyclists' anti-air pollution masks – to use it when they go out to buy essentials.

People are also advised to tie their hair back or cover it up if they wear it long.

DIY masks, scarves, and home-made versions with kitchen roll are often seen worn by those who need to leave their houses.

The Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundations have been arranging to send supplies to the countries worst-affected by Coronavirus – China itself, although the condition is largely now contained there – Japan, South Korea, the USA, Belgium and Italy – and has been funding research into treatment and vaccines in China, the USA and Australia.

King Felipe met with Jack Ma himself at the 2018 Davos Forum and they were recently in contact to arrange for masks to be sent.

Further donations are expected to be sent to Spain and the other badly-hit countries over the next few weeks.