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Gaza factories pivot to masks in Covid-19 response

April 03, 2020 00:00:00


GAZA CITY, Apr 02 (Arab News): Queen Tex factory in Gaza used to specialize in manufacturing shirts and jeans, but with the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic sweeping the globe it has pivoted into medicalwear.

Now lines of men are using old sewing machines to stitch together masks while also wearing them, as the blockaded Palestinian enclave develops a homegrown response to the crisis.

"We were intending to import masks and suits from China but there were difficulties importing, so we decided to make them ourselves," manager Hassan Alwan said.

His factory says it works to international standards but only has enough material to make around 1,000 hazmat suits.

The Gaza Strip has only had a handful of confirmed Covid-19 cases so far. The suits, masks and gloves are being made initially for the local market, with the potential to later export to Israel which is fighting a far larger outbreak.

Gaza has been largely closed off by Israel since Hamas seized control of it in 2007.

Much of the world considers Hamas, which has fought three wars with Israel, a terrorist organization.

Gaza has been largely closed off by Israel since Hamas seized control of it in 2007.

Hamas has stipulated no masks or suits can be exported until the local market's needs have been met.

But Hassan Shehata, co-director of another factory, Hasanco, is optimistic he can sell to the Israeli market.


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