Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown shuts world's top producer
“My concern is that for a lot of humanitarian programs deep down in Africa, the shortage will not just be two weeks or a month. That shortage can run into months” said a producer
A global shortage of condoms is looming, the world's biggest producer said, after a coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut down production.
"It will take time to jumpstart factories and we will struggle to keep up with demand at half capacity," Chief Executive Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters.
"We are going to see a global shortage of condoms everywhere, which is going to be scary," he said. "My concern is that for a lot of humanitarian programs deep down in Africa, the shortage will not just be two weeks or a month. That shortage can run into months."
Malaysia is Southeast Asia's worst affected country, with 2,161 coronavirus infections and 26 deaths. The lockdown is due to remain in place at least until April 14.
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The other major condom-producing countries are China, where the coronavirus originated and led to widespread factory shutdowns, and India and Thailand, which are seeing infections spiking only now.
Makers of other critical items like medical gloves have also faced hiccups in their operations in Malaysia.
"The good thing is that the demand for condoms is still very strong because like it or not, it's still an essential to have," Goh said. "Given that at this point in time people are probably not planning to have children. It's not the time, with so much uncertainty."
