Cornelder Mozambique develops project for local production of masks and visors

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Cornelder Mozambique develops project for local production of masks and visors

2:00 CAT | 13 Apr 2020

Photo: A Verdade

Cornelder de Moçambique SA, the concessionaire of the container and general cargo terminals of Beira port, has since last week been developing a project called “Juntos Contra COVID-19 ” [Together Against Covid-19] to produce protective masks and visors locally.

Carried out within Cornelder’s corporate social responsibility umbrella and in response to the latest recommendations issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the State of Emergency decreed by the Government of Mozambique, the initiative involves non-profit associations dedicated to cutting and sewing activities.

In a first phase, CdM acquired 60 sewing machines which have been delivered to six associations – Young Africa, Renascer do Sol, Restoring Dreams and the São José da Munhava, Macuti and Matacuane Parishes – which have also received raw material for the production of 2,000 protective masks and visors per day.

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These will be distributed free of charge to sectors where there is a high risk of infection, such as formal and informal markets, collective and semi-collective transport, cargo transporters, communication professionals and other public agents who work directly with the population.

Jan de Vries, chief executive officer of Cornelder, says that the project hopes to keep one step ahead of an undesirable but possible mass outbreak of the disease in Mozambique, given that local solutions are recommended and this type of protective equipment is in great demand worldwide.

“We know that, up until now, there has been no record of any coronavirus infection in Beira city, but the experience of other countries teaches us that it is probably just a matter of time, so we have to anticipate and cut this chain of contagion before it even starts. This project should initially concentrate on people who, due to the nature of their work, are in frequent contact with multiple individuals,” he explained.

Cornelder de Moçambique, also in the context of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, recently donated tanks and buckets for hand washing and various protective equipment to Beira Central Hospital.

Source: A Verdade