Surgical masks of the same kind were used to help control the spread in Italy.
The Maltese public received a generous donation of one of the most sought-after pieces of protective equipment currently in need: face masks.
The donation of 500,000 masks was made by the chairman of a fund management company based in Malta, Dr Massimo Malvestio.
Joseph Cuschieri / Facebook
The Italian native was born and raised in Treviso Veneto, which forms part of the northern area of Italy that was hardest hit by COVID-19. The masks were manufactured by an Italian printer who is renowned in the region, and who collaborated with the local Governor to help control the spread of the virus in Italy.
Dr Malvestio, who operates Praude Asset Management Limited in Malta, bought and donated 500,000 of these masks to the Maltese Government after realising there is a need for them, following discussions with the Ambassador of Malta to Italy, Joseph Cuschieri.
Watch Evarist Bartolo, Minister for European & Foreign Affairs, announcing the donation: