Furniture giant Ikea is producing face masks and other protective gear for hospitals, joining a growing list of companies branching out of their normal business areas to help meet equipment shortages in the fight against coronavirus.

Having started off with masks for staff in China in early stages of the pandemic, the Swedish group is working with several suppliers to ramp up output of masks for health workers, as well as hand sanitizers, visors and single-use aprons.

The first batches for European healthcare facilities are in transit, Henrik Elm, global supply manager at brand owner Inter IKEA Group, which is in charge of supply, told Reuters.

Opinion

Editorial

Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...
Moment of truth
Updated 22 Apr, 2026

Moment of truth

ISLAMABAD is all set to host the second round of US-Iran talks. But the million-dollar question is: will they go...
Rights at risk
22 Apr, 2026

Rights at risk

ACROSS the world, rights are shrinking. Amnesty International’s latest report notes a pattern that cuts across...
Extrajudicial killing
22 Apr, 2026

Extrajudicial killing

THE appeal by a Lady Health Worker from Muzaffargarh to the chief justice of Pakistan for an independent probe into...