South Korea to allocate millions for production of protective masks

The Korean government will provide financial support to domestic manufacturers of non-woven filter cloth, the primary material for protective masks, Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Song Yoon Moe.

Report informs, citing TASS, that, according to the minister, South Koreans should have free access to the necessary number of protective masks, and the government will do everything possible to this end.

The coronavirus outbreak in the country resulted in a shortage of masks, forcing the introduction of an actual system for their distribution. According to the measures announced earlier this week, citizens can purchase only two medical covers per week on certain days.

Beginning on March 6, the government banned the export of both finished masks and materials for their production. Manufacturers are required to report daily production volumes and available stocks. The authorities also announced the allocation of $2.3 million to renovate the country's capacity to increase the daily production of non-woven filter cloth from the current 12.9 tonnes to 27 tonnes by the end of April.