Distilleries around Ireland have committed to joining the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by responding to the huge demand for alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel.
In West Cork, Clonakilty Distillery is creating sanitisers with an alcohol content of 63% ABV, and has bottles and equipment in place. The first batch of 5,000 bottles will be ready from next week. It will be offered for free to local charities and the company will supply the rest at cost, at first to the local community.
Irish Distillers announced earlier this week that it that it will provide free alcohol gel to the healthcare sector.
Meanwhile, in Leitrim, The Shed Distillery has announced that it will shortly commence the distribution of emergency alcohol and surface cleaner across the region. It will supply alcohol to Ovelle Pharmaceuticals, which will create 12,500 bottles of hand sanitiser gel with this week's batch.
A number of other distilleries and drinks producers across the country have said that they will manufacture hand sanitizer gel once they have complied with the necessary regulations and have sourced the other components.
Separately, Guinness Ireland has pledged €1.5 million to support Irish bar staff and communities affected by COVID-19.
"Encouraging To See"
Drinks Ireland director Patricia Callan commented, "At such an uncertain and challenging time, it's encouraging to see the drinks industry doing what it can in the effort to tackle COVID-19. This fight will require government, the health and public sector, industry and society all working together on a coordinated response. As an industry, we are committed to doing what we can to help out."
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
