California will spend an additional USD 315 million on protective masks through a contract with a Chinese manufacturer.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deal with BYD on Wednesday as he touted California's efforts to procure masks for health care and other essential workers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpfsizqXN0jKaBSD69mEH5X_qLQKa9LPDS9nITuaLX2yIo6wNAf_9CTlDQUSpfwnv3CHCjqkmOKByeGSEn2eNHMRVdF93BV2TEDOcjBEo1ubpFb4MPHgpDDZzoMGdULL4aQenVVRo35g/s640/5f173efb7c792.image.jpg)
Newsom signed a USD 1 billion contract with BYD in April and the first masks began arriving last month after delays.
Newsom said California will soon launch a competitive bidding process to try to get more masks at lower prices.
But he also acknowledged the masks aren't always getting to workers that need them and pledged a more aggressive state response.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deal with BYD on Wednesday as he touted California's efforts to procure masks for health care and other essential workers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpfsizqXN0jKaBSD69mEH5X_qLQKa9LPDS9nITuaLX2yIo6wNAf_9CTlDQUSpfwnv3CHCjqkmOKByeGSEn2eNHMRVdF93BV2TEDOcjBEo1ubpFb4MPHgpDDZzoMGdULL4aQenVVRo35g/s640/5f173efb7c792.image.jpg)
Newsom signed a USD 1 billion contract with BYD in April and the first masks began arriving last month after delays.
Newsom said California will soon launch a competitive bidding process to try to get more masks at lower prices.
But he also acknowledged the masks aren't always getting to workers that need them and pledged a more aggressive state response.