Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - In order to cover the increasing demand from the population for medical masks during the epidemic rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, as well as to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection and to observe personal hygiene rules, in January - March 2020, dozens of private enterprises in the industry established and expanded the production of medical masks of three main types:

- “original disposable 3-layer medical masks” glued on special machines from non-woven synthetic materials (spunbond) containing a filter layer and two outer layers;

- “disposable 3-layer medical masks from spunbond”, stitched on sewing equipment. Today, production has been established by sewing enterprises (workshops) in the regions of the republic as a new type of product;

- “3-4-layer gauze medical masks” (dressings), made entirely from local raw materials (GOST 1207-70). Almost all sewing workshops have been established (including at home).

The total production capacities of the enterprises under monitoring exceeded 500 thousand masks per day at the beginning of March with the possibility of immediate increase of more than 1.0 million pieces per day and further 2 million and more (sufficient reserves were created in the pharmacy chains and sanitary services of the country medical masks).

For comparison, as the Russian publication www.vesti.ru reports, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov stated that the daily production volume of medical masks in Russia is 1 million 200 thousand units with a population of 145 million people. (i.e. 5 times more than the population of Uzbekistan). He stressed that if necessary, the volume can be increased by another 300 thousand - up to 1.5 million, but only if additional work shifts are taken into account.

The industry and local authorities are taking measures to further expand the uninterrupted production of medical masks (3 shifts, increased stocks of the main raw materials - “spunbond”, as well as the import of finished masks, certification of new manufacturers by sanitary departments, etc.), as well as the relevant structures organized a system for their distribution through pharmacy chains, medical institutions, etc.