Salem Liquor Company Begins Manufacturing Lemon Hand Sanitizer

SALEM, NH — A New Hampshire wine and liquor company is now producing hand sanitizer in an effort to replenish supplies that have been diminished in the wake of the new coronavirus. After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a temporary provision allowing distilleries to begin manufacturing sanitizer, to ease demand, Fabrizia Spirits shifted its focus from craft cocktails and other items to a new hand sanitizer line. The first 3,000 bottles, which were completed Monday, will be donated to first responders and health care facilities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

"Shifting our focus allows us to make a positive impact on the people who are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19," said Phil Mastroianni, co-founder and owner of Fabrizia Spirits. "We have had so many friends and family members who are or who know first responders already reaching out. We feel strongly we need to do anything we can, even if it’s a tiny part, to fight this virus."

The sanitizer, which is made with real lemons, are being produced in 4- and 8-ounce bottles. They will be available to the general public soon. The company also plans on continuing to donate sanitizer to those workers on the front lines of fighting the virus.

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Mastroianni said purchases of its traditional product orders — limoncello, liqueurs, canned Italian margarita and lemonade, and other items — were starting to slow and he expected that trend to continue as the state and national governments took necessary steps to stop the spread of COVID-19. Producing the hand sanitizer, which is being done at cost, "allows us to stay open and keep staff employed in an extremely uncertain time," he added.

For more information, visit the Fabrizia Spirits website.

What You Can Do To Stop The Spread

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so people should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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