Grabbing a face mask when you leave home is as important as remembering your keys and wallet, so a temporary mask manufacturer now plans to continue making them after the pandemic has run its course.
Analytical Laboratories and Technical Services Australia (ALTSA) in Victoria's north-west was established a few years ago to provide testing services for the agriculture and environmental sectors.
ALTSA general manager Ray Harris said the company repurposed a former CSIRO facility at Merbein South, near Mildura, to make face masks earlier this year.
"Even before COVID hit we were looking at masks," he said.
The production line, which was built in a refurbished workshop area, hit full production in April.
ALTSA engineers assembled the imported equipment with technical help from suppliers either on the phone or online.
"We have the capacity to produce about two million masks a year at the moment," Mr Harris said.
ALTSA's masks are individually packaged, which Mr Harris said prevents a whole box of masks becoming contaminated as soon as someone opens it.
"Retailers can sell them individually. We've got some customers that do want bulk for various reasons, for convenience and pricing," he said.
Australian-made a plus
Public and private medical facilities have been ALTSA's main customers, but Mr Harris said there was also interest from schools, government agencies, and the general public.
He said there was an appetite for buying local as it provided employment.
But customers also appeared to have more trust in Australian-made face masks.
A Victorian Department of Health spokesperson said face masks will only be needed indoors when 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and over are double vaccinated.
This milestone is expected to be reached in early November.
In New South Wales, face mask rules eased on Monday and people who are vaccinated do not need to wear a mask in office buildings.
Masks are not required outdoors in the state unless you work in front-of-house hospitality.
