Face masks production companies in Ho Chi Minh City have suffered the shortage of non-woven fabric materials to produce face masks amid the complicated developments of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). .

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade have stated that 20 face mask production enterprises located in the city are able to supply 2.53 million items each day, despite the fact that several businesses have been encountering issues relating to the shortage of production materials. 

The department has moved to report an update on the situation to the Ministry of Industry and Trade as a means of connecting with countries that can provide non-woven fabric sources such as India and Malaysia.

In addition, the department has also proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives sign a contract that promises to distribute antibacterial gauze masks alongside Corporation 28, which is capable of producing 200,000 face masks each day.

Moreover, the department has also ordered the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) to step up production to make an additional five million face masks available as a means of ensuring that the domestic market receives enough supply source.

According to the department, it is now compulsory for five groups of people to wear face masks daily due to their frequent contact with customers.

This is now mandatory in five groups of people, including officials from departments, small businesses, staff from shopping centres, and hotels, in addition to a total of 322,100 other people.

The quantity of essential face masks for these five groups stands at over 966,000 pieces per day if each person takes three items.

On February 11, a representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control said no new cases of the nCoV infection have been reported in the southern city.

The Department of Health has recorded 39 people who have come into close contact with nCoV patients but they have not shown any symptoms. All of the suspected patients are now required to remain at home to undergo strict monitoring for 14 days.