The Government Savings Bank (GSB) and the Excise Department are getting ready to distribute germ-killing products to the public this month to meet growing demand for alcohol and hand-sanitising gel in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said the GSB plans to hand out a million bottles of hand sanitising gel, while the Excise Department will distribute 300,000 litres of 70% ethanol provided by 26 manufacturers.
He said free hand sanitisers can be picked up at any of the 1,060 GSB branches, while ethanol can be obtained at any of the Excise Department's branch offices.
Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is limited to one litre per person, who has to bring their own containers.
GSB president Chartchai Payuhanaveechai said distribution of hand sanitiser gel should start from late this month, adding that production of the gel is expected to cost 15 million baht.
Patchara Anuntasilpa, director-general of the Excise Department, said the department has joined hands with ethanol producers and the state-owned Liquor Distillery Organisation in producing ethyl alcohol.
He said there are 26 ethanol manufacturing plants in Thailand with a combined production capacity of 7 million litres a day.
Of the 7 million litres of ethanol produced, 4 million litres are used as fuel.
It has been agreed that the remaining 3 million litres will be used to produce alcohol for sanitisers.
Meanwhile, Opas Kankawinphong, director-general of the Department of Medical Science, has suggested that face masks should be made from muslin cloth as it has been found to block small particles and prevent the absorption of liquid aerosols.
Also, the double layers of muslin is as effective in protection as surgical masks, he said.
This suggestion was made after the Public Health Ministry recommended the use of fabric masks for people with low risk of Covid-19 infection.
However, Mr Opas insisted that everybody should remember to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their face.
