TEHRAN,Iran, March 5
Trend:
Sales and purchases of detergents and antiseptics have increased in Iran due to coronavirus outbreak, member of Detergent, Sanitary and Cosmetic Industries Association of Iran Jamshid Foruzesh told Trend.
"After the shock in the market the store shelves where empty and producers increased their working hours to make up for the lack of goods," he said.
"The production capacity of sanitary products is in good state but the demands are increasing. Considering the urgent conditions, export of sanitary products and antiseptics has been banned since these goods should be available for domestic consumption," he said.
Foruzesh noted that a part of sanitary goods and some basic material are manufactured domestically, while major part is imported from Asia, so as of now, there's no shortage.
"There are only two companies that produce sanitizer products in the country that include alcohol and antiseptics, but the production is limited since there was no interest in them before the spread of the disease," he said.
Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 2,900 people have been infected, 92 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 550 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
The disease in the Islamic Republic has spread to nearly all 31 of Iran's provinces.
Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.