PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - About 10 500 masks have been made and handed out to struggling Plettenberg Bay locals for free and a further 2 000 have been sold as part of the town's Masks4All initiative.

But, operations slowed down this week due to a lack of materials and funds to produce the masks.

This comes after the Bitou Covid-19 Response Team gave the green light to seamstresses to act as "essential workers" in a bid to see every resident don a protective mask during the coronavirus outbreak.

Heading the project is local resident Steve Ritky who said they are working under the guidance of the Bitou Covid-19 medical experts, and members of the Bitou council and public safety department, after a decision had been taken to encourage the wearing of masks as evidence exists to support the idea that masks play a role in controlling the spread of the virus.

"Currently the teams producing the masks are able to make 3 000 masks a day, but we've asked the majority to stand down as donations have been exhausted," Ritky said.

To counter the problem they have cleared it with the response team to take donations from the public specifically for the making of free masks only.

"Our aim has always been not to use any funds donated to the Bitou Covid1-19 response team. They have massive objectives to reach and are flying into it."

Ritky explained that the smallest donation goes a long way. "A donation of R60 puts five free masks out there."

The money will be used to buy the material and producing the masks, which is being done by groups of seamstresses across Bitou.

So far more than R156 000 has been paid to local teams to make the masks. "They truly appreciate the opportunity to do meaningful work in these tough times and the ability to put food on their tables."

Those who wish to contribute can WhatsApp "donation" to 060 820 6595 and the coordinators will make contact.

'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'