Help to tackle the coronavirus pandemic has come in the form of essential personal protection equipment delivered to Barking and Dagenham Council from friends in the far east.

Friends of the borough from as far as Hong Kong and China have offered their support in the fight against the pandemic.

ASF Group, Hong Kong donated 1000 face masks, 10 boxes of disposable gloves and 20 500ml bottles of hand sanitizers, while the and the Peoples Government of Qingyuan Municipality in China have sent 30,000 disposable protective masks.

The Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell on receiving the donations, said: “On behalf of the residents and all of our frontline staff, would like to thank you for your donation in the fight against the coronavirus. 

“We thank you for your friendship at this difficult time. This very kind donation will allow us to ensure the safety of our hardworking frontline staff who continue to provide services to our residents.”

Ms Min Yang, Chairman of ASF Group Ltd, said: “I am with you to fight against the novel coronavirus. We are happy to provide some protective equipment to the frontline teams who selflessly care for those affected patients and those others in need in the borough to assist as much as possible to control the virus spreading.”

Ma Zhengyong, the Acting Mayor of the People’s Government of Qingyuan Municipality, Guangdong Province, said: “Both of our cities have been facing the challenges presented by COVID-19 this year. The people of our cities must stand together to overcome this crisis, especially during this difficult time. We believe that persisting through these difficult times will further strengthen the friendship between our two cities, and that we will work together to jointly write a new chapter in our story of cooperation and development.”

The donations will be added to the council’s existing stock to be deployed to all of our frontline staff including care homes.