Another 5,000 litres of sanitiser will be produced for free distribution. Photo supplied
Around 2,000 litres of hand sanitiser has been distributed to people in various provinces, while another 5,000 litres will be produced for free distribution as the Kingdom grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.
Local businessman Hem Hema and Tan Kimsour, the founder of Baitong Warriors, which gathers youths to plant trees, said they give away sanitisers as part of efforts to protect people from infections.
On Monday, Kimsour said that on the positive side, the Covid-19 outbreak has led to good hygiene practises among the public. He said the free distribution is meant to ease difficulties among those who can hardly afford it as its price has skyrocketed amid the pandemic.
Citing expert advice, he said people need to frequently wash their hands with alcohol or disinfectant gel as a precaution.
Kimsour said while the free distribution of sanitisers may not lead to a price decrease, it will help those who need it for protection during the outbreak.
“An additional 5,000 litres will be sent directly to garment factories because I have received [a request] from workers who said more people need it.
“Some people we have visited are vague about the Covid-19 disease, so we also took the opportunity to explain it to them,” he said.
Kimsour said the disinfectant gel, which is produced at a soap factory in Siem Reap province, is to be distributed to people living along the Lem area on the Cambodian-Thai borders in Battambang province’s Kamrieng district and hospitals in the province.
He said the sanitiser will also be distributed to the mosque along the Cambodian-Thai border in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town as well. Poor people in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Kampong Speu provinces will get it too, he said.
Hema, who has purchased a machine to produce the sanitiser for free distribution, told The Post on Sunday that he has produced about 2,000 litres of it in less than a month.
The 40-year-old Siem Reap businessman said: “We will produce another 5,000 litres to be distributed to those who can’t afford it. After production, we can also send it to the Ministry of Health for inspection and approval.”
Hema, who has more than five years’ experience in soap production, said the sanitiser he produces is up to standard, with 60 to 65 per cent of pure alcohol mixed with some raw materials.
He said the sanitiser can stay on the skin for up to 20 seconds and does not affect it.
