REUTERS/Mike Blake
Emergency room nurse Kathy Nguyen wears a mask as deals with flu patients at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California, U.S., January 18, 2018.
- Gap will use its factory resources to make personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
- The retailer announced via Twitter that it would "pivot resources so factory partners can make masks, gowns & scrubs for healthcare workers on the front lines."
- Gap announced the temporary closures of its company owned and operated stores across North America, effective March 19.
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Gap is the latest retailer to announce a commitment to use its resources to create personal protective equipment like masks and scrubs for healthcare workers.
The company announced on Wednesday via Twitter that it would "pivot resources so factory partners can make masks, gowns & scrubs for healthcare workers on the front lines."
Gap said it would connect with hospitals in California to deliver the supplies.
Gap made the decision to temporarily close its company owned and operated stores across North America, including Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Janie and Jack, and Intermix brands. The closures were effective March 19.
Other retailers have announced similar initiatives to support healthcare workers as the coronavirus prompts a nationwide shortage of masks and other protective equipment. In California, hospitals have turned to Los Angeles seamstresses to make masks.
Nike also announced it was creating personal protective equipment such as face shields to support doctors and nurses in Oregon. Zara announced a similar initiative.
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An update on our #COVID19 response: Our teams are connecting some of the largest hospital networks in Calif. w/ our vendors to deliver PPE supplies while we pivot resources so factory partners can make masks, gowns & scrubs for healthcare workers on the front lines.
- Gap Inc. (@GapInc) March 25, 2020