BOBRUISK, 21 April (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko will go on a working trip to Bobruisk on 21 April. The head of state will tour the local company Slavyanka that has recently repurposed its production lines to make personal protective equipment, BelTA has learned.
The president will discuss the fulfillment of his instructions to boost production and supply of personal protective equipment for households and healthcare workers. The president will also be updated on the social and economic development of Mogilev Oblast and measures to combat the novel coronavirus.
The head of state is to inspect the shop floor that manufactures face masks and face covers. Aleksandr Lukashenko will study the assortment and production processes.
Slavyanka is one of the country's biggest garment factories. It can produce more than 500,000 clothing items (for men, women and children) per year. In February the company started repurposing its production lines to make personal protective equipment. At present all its production capacities are used to make medical supplies. By April the company had sewn 3.5 million masks. At present it makes at least 150,000 pieces a day.
The company also rolled out disposable clothing for healthcare workers, including shoe wrappers, overalls and oversleeves.
Aleksandr Lukashenko announced plans to inspect companies producing protective gear on 13 April. Back then the head of state instructed the Belarus President Administration chief to compile a list of enterprises that make protective means or can make them. “I will find time to visit the places I will consider necessary to visit. I will ask them whether they work 24/7 to make face masks,” the president said. “At present masks and the rest – shoe wrappers, goggles, and face shields – cost an arm and a leg. Prices have surged.”
“Various countries have been pestering us with offers to buy things from them… While we are starting to import the things we can make domestically and leave the money in our country at triple the price. I am referring to means of individual protection: face masks, respirators, and so on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Many domestic companies have started producing personal protective equipment. Masks are manufactured by Nelva, Milavitsa, Conte Spa, Burvin, Belcredo, Makey, Fashion Center and many more. In addition to that, masks are sewn by services organizations, manufacturing industry companies, social facilities, schools and colleges. Small business is also actively involved.
Alcohol producers have started making disinfectants.
