Madrid Chinese Community Step Up With Mask Donations

Members of  the Chinese community in Madrid  have donated boxes of face masks and disinfectant to cops who are suffering from a shortage in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spanish police union Sindicato Unificado de Policia reported there was a shortage of masks and disinfectant for officers working to enforce the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The union has now shared images of Chinese citizens in the town of Getafe on the outskirts of the Spanish capital Madrid handing boxes and bags of face masks to police officers.

The pair of citizens can also be seen handing over a large bottle of disinfectant gel.

Reports state the initiative from the Chinese community has led to similar scene throughout Spain, including in Alcorcon in the Community of Madrid, Cuenca in Castille-La Mancha, Cordoba in Andalusia, Leon in Castille and Leon) and Murcia in the province of the same name, among others.

A spokesperson for the union said that “there is a shortage of material in most police stations”, and added that “the anti-riot units, the patrol police and the officers from the report office do not have the proper kits”.

The spokesperson said officers without equipment have been told to “keep a safety distance” from others.

A police officer in Murcia, in the southeastern Spanish region of the same name, told Newsflash that a Chinese businessman had arrived at the police station with a lot of boxes full of sanitary material.

He told Newsflash: “He has donated a huge amount of masks and other material, for free and is trying to play his part in all of this.

“Bear in mind that this material could be sold at a very expensive price right now in Spain.”

Reports state that the Chinese community also gave material to city councils and hospitals for free.

Spanish citizens face fines of between 600 and 30,000 EUR if they are caught out in the streets other than for urgent matters.