The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning is to finance the production of 60,000 face masks a day in a new deal to deliver urgent protective equipment supplies amid the State’s COVID-19 crisis.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland manufacturers and producers had stepped up to make and deliver urgently needed supplies of vital Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
“Their generosity, creativity and agility as we get ready for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals have been nothing short of inspiring,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Premier said the Department would be providing financial assistance of $1.2 million to Logan’s Evolve Group to make disposable N95 medical masks in high volume.
“The N95 mask is the highest quality surgical mask available for frontline healthcare workers and can help to filter out fine particles,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Premier said the agreement with Evolve Group ensured Queensland had priority access to its own supply of face masks to support frontline health workers and the broader community.
She said local manufacturers were also making other PPE products, including hand sanitiser.
Ms Palaszczuk said it was imperative Queensland establish and maintain a domestic production capacity for PPE now and into the future.
Queensland Health and the Department of Housing and Public Works have agreed to purchase masks from Evolve Group for a three-year period to support the health system.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Development says it will continue to identify manufacturers around the State who could quickly transition to the production of critically needed supplies.
The Department invited manufacturers able to help fill supply gaps to visit its website: www.qld.gov.au/qld-supplies.
