Covid-19: state promises 26 million masks per week for the population from the end of April

Significant increase in power. Among the imperatives listed for the success of deconfinement, which will begin on May 11, it is crucial to have enough masks for all French people. The object of every debate and controversy since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus crisis, these precious masks that have been gone for a long time seem to have finally arrived.

Thus, according to the Bercy Ministry of Economy, in France from the end of April there will be more than 26 million masks for the population per week, almost half of which are produced in the country, as well as 20 million sanitary masks for professionals. by the end of May.

“Due to the rapid increase in production and increased import volumes, more than 26 million consumer masks will be provided every week from the end of April, most of which can be reused 20 times,” the Secretary of State added. in Economics Agnès Panier-Runashe during a telephone press conference.

“Exceptional mobilization” of the textile industry

Nearly half of these fabric filter masks, most often washable and reusable, will be imported, she said, while the rest will be made in France thanks to the “exceptional mobilization” of the textile industry, where 242 companies will make them.

“This mobilization demonstrates the potential and know-how of the French textile and clothing industry, which continues to gain momentum,” welcomed Guillaume de Seine, President of the Strategy Committee for the Fashion and Luxury Sector, who also attended the press conference.

These masks will have a logo that will indicate the number of possible washes.

With regard to FFP2 and surgical hygiene masks intended for healthcare workers, production increased from 3.5 million masks per week before the crisis “to 10 million masks per week in April,” said Agnès Pannier-Runashe.

“We are strengthening the production capacity of four historical manufacturers based in France (Kolmi, Boye, Valmy, Macopharma) with the goal of producing 20 million masks per week by the end of May,” she explained.

According to the secretary of state, the efforts of the government and players in the sector should “bring the weekly production capacity to 50 million surgical masks and FFP2 by October.”

France needs 40 million masks a week for medical staff and nursing facilities.

“Solidarity masks” will soon be distributed to the weakest in supermarkets