Nowon-gu Forms 'Myeon Mask Volunteer Corps' to Produce Up to 1,000 Masks Per Day

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, difficulty in obtaining masks leads to making cloth masks... 12 sewing machines (up to 40) installed in the district office auditorium, recruiting 100 skilled sewers... Completed cloth masks to be distributed to voluntary quarantine teams and socially vulnerable groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is forming a 'Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps' to prevent the spread of COVID-19 community infections and will begin production on the 11th.

As COVID-19 prolongs, making masks difficult to obtain and prices rising, the district office has rolled up its sleeves to support vulnerable residents directly.

First, the district will install 12 sewing machines in the large auditorium on the 2nd floor of the district office and increase the total to 40 by moving sewing machines to places like the Lifelong Education Center according to the number of volunteers recruited.

From the 9th, about 100 volunteers with sewing skills, cutting ability, ironing, and finishing skills will be recruited on a first-come, first-served basis. Mask fabric (100% cotton) donations are also accepted, and sewing machine owners can temporarily lend their machines to the district.

The fabric will be prepared by the district. Outer fabric and inner cotton lining, which are mask materials, will be purchased from Dongdaemun Plaza Market. Masks will be produced in the order of fabric cutting, sewing, ironing, and finishing.

The sizes will be large, medium, and small, designed to allow filter replacement, and up to 1,000 masks will be produced daily. Completed cotton masks will be distributed to autonomous quarantine teams working on prevention activities and socially vulnerable groups.

Residents wishing to participate in the cotton mask volunteer work can contact the Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps Call Center (2116-2300). A text message was sent to 130,000 residents to recruit and encourage participation.

The produced cotton masks are washable and allow filter replacement inside the mask. Additionally, they help reduce disposable mask waste classified as general trash, addressing environmental issues.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We welcome not only those with sewing skills but any helping hands from residents,” adding, “Small acts of kindness will be a great support to our neighbors in need.”

Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps Call Center (2116-2300)