Guizhou Huaxia Orthopedic Hospital, a hospital located in Guizhou Shuanglong Airport Economic Zone in southwestern Guizhou province, distributed free masks to taxi drivers on Feb 11, according to local officials.
Zhu Xiaodong, secretary of the Party branch of Guizhou Huaxia Orthopedic Hospital, said that it was the critical period for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic.
The taxi drivers were working day and night to ensure convenient travel for locals and were making an important contribution to the orderly operations of the city.
"Taxi drivers have many contacts, high mobility and high potential risk", he added.
"Masks are their only protective measure. It is hoped that these 4,500 masks will ensure their travel safety and truly solve their actual difficulties".
A Guiyang city taxi driver gets free masks at Guizhou Huaxia Orthopedic Hospital in Guizhou Shuanglong Airport Economic Zone on Feb 11. [Photo/sl.gov.cn]
From 9 am to 5 pm from Feb 11-14, all taxi drivers in Guiyang city can get three masks at no charge by scanning and registering at Guizhou Huaxia Orthopedic Hospital with their driving licenses.
In addition to distributing masks, the hospital also plans to hand out free masks at Guiyang North Railway Station, Guiyang Railway Station and Jinyang Bus Station on Feb 15, jointly with city traffic law enforcement team and Guiyang Transportation Radio.