Coronavirus: Macron visits a mask factory near Angers

Emmanuel Macron is making a very symbolic trip this Tuesday. In full controversy over the insufficiency of masks in France, the president began this Tuesday at midday a visit to a factory which produces near Angers (Maine-et-Loire).

The president, who arrived around noon in Saint-Barthélémy-d'Anjou where the PME Kolmi-Hopen is located, must equip himself with protective clothing, mask, blouse, charlotte and overshoes, to visit the clean production room of factory masks.

He must then go to a storage room before interacting with a few employees while respecting the rules of distance.

The SME Kolmi-Hopen is the largest of the four French producers. This FFP2 and surgical mask factory is now running 24 hours a day to increase production.

Emmanuel Macron wants to "show the exceptional mobilization of our industry to meet the needs related to the Covid-19 crisis," explained the Elysee.

Soon 40 million masks produced in France per month

The increase in production in the four French mask companies will increase national production from 15 million to 40 million masks per month in April. But the needs for nursing staff and nursing homes are estimated at 40 million per week, said the Elysee.

To meet needs, France has also ordered a billion masks and is organizing an "airlift" with China, the first shipment of 8.5 million masks arrived on Monday. A second delivery from China of 12 million masks is expected on Wednesday, the presidency said.

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These efforts are not enough, for part of the political class. The patron of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, accused the government Monday of lying about "absolutely everything" to the French.