LVMH, the French group which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Givenchy – among other luxury brands – has announced that it will start making disinfectant gel at facilities that usually produce its perfume and cosmetics.

This unprecedented move takes effect from today (March 16) and is an effort to help combat the risk of disinfectant gel shortages in France amid the global coronavirus pandemic. The gel will then be donated free of charge to the French health authorities and the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris. According to Forbes, LVMH expects to have made 12 tons of hydroalcoholic gel by the end of the week.

France has closed its restaurants, cafes and non-essential stores in an effort to combat the virus which has resulted in 120 deaths in the country so far.

Over the weekend, the FDA in the US issued a statement encouraging licensed pharmacists and physicians to create their own batches of hand sanitiser to cut back on shortages. Indie skincare and fragrance brands have been pitching in as well. Yesterday, Sigil Scent announced it had started producing custom-blended hand sanitiser which it would be selling on its website at cost. “This is our attempt to provide you with some emotional, mental, and physical comfort in these trying times,” the brand says on its website.

Meanwhile, the founder of skincare brand Deviant, Natalie Smyth announced they were making free hand sanitiser for their local community in Morecambe and Lancaster due to shoretages.