Lithuania's Minister of Health Aurelijus Veryga gave approval to businesses for manufacturing disinfectant products to solve the shortage problem in Lithuania over the possible spread of COVID-19. The quick action in removing the normal approval processes has allowed a rapid response to be deployed in disinfecting key buildings on the front line of the fight against the virus.
In his words, the first priority is to clarify the formulas of disinfectant fluid and adjust them to business so that manufacturing can start.
Lithuania's medical and educational institutions alone would need 200 tons of disinfectants per month, Veryga said.
On Monday, Veryga met with leadership of alcohol producers Vilniaus Degtine, MV Group Production, and cosmetics company BIOK Laboratory. the diversification from their normal manufacturing processes to produce the disinfectant was also seen as a key measure in ensuring the survival of the businesses.
Vilniaus Degtine is the largest manufacturer of ethyl alcohol and leading manufacturer of spirits in the Baltic States.
"It seems that there are opportunities in Lithuania to produce the products that are needed very quickly. We need faster licensing and raw material supplies. As a cosmetics manufacturer, we are ready," said Romualda Stragiene, CEO of Lithuanian cosmetics company BIOK Laboratory.
The first COVID-19 case in Lithuania was diagnosed on Feb. 28. A 39-year-old woman was admitted to hospital on Feb. 27 after returning to the northern Lithuanian town of Siauliai from northern Italy on Feb. 24.
