REUTERS
The enterprise is ready to further boost output.
Ukraine's state-run distillery Ukrspyrt has launched four more facilities to meet increased demand for ethyl alcohol amid the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus in the country.
"Ukrspyrt has launched four more distilleries over the increased demand for medical alcohol amid the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus)," the alcohol producer said in a statement.
Read alsoUkraine's president instructs Cabinet to start preparing Ukrspyrt for sale
It says that ten distilleries were to be working in March, but the enterprise revised its production plan to meet the healthcare sector's needs.
"The enterprise is increasing alcohol production primarily to meet the healthcare system's needs. We've quickly responded to the growing demand: as of today, 14 distilleries have been operating simultaneously. If necessary, we are ready to continue to increase production volumes. We have both capacities and raw materials for this," the statement quotes acting Director of Ukrspyrt Serhiy Bleskun as saying.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers on March 11 decided to introduce a quarantine in Ukraine from March 12 to April 3 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The European Business Association called on the Ukrainian government to unblock the registration of disinfectants in Ukraine, because they are in high demand due to the enhanced disinfection regime and anti-epidemic measures over the spread of COVID-19 in Ukraine.
Ukrspyrt had earlier announced its readiness to provide medical facilities in Ukraine with ethyl alcohol.
UNIAN memo. State-owned Ukrspyrt, which was set up on the basis of a consortium with the same name in 2010, holds a monopoly on alcohol production in Ukraine.
The government has already launched its privatization, which is expected to be over by July 1, 2021. As many as 41 distillation facilities belonging to the enterprise are to be put up for sale.