LANSING, MI -- From booze to hygiene products, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is allowing the state’s alcohol distilleries to begin manufacturing hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) (on Wednesday, March 18) relaxed their regulations in order to allow beverage distillers to make denatured alcohol,” said a statement issued the the Michigan Emergency Operations Center Thursday evening. "This production is not normally permitted unless a distillery has an industrial manufacturing permit, which no Michigan distiller currently has.

“Under the relaxed rules, Michigan distillers can make denatured alcohol without the normally required permit.”

The relaxed rules remain in place through June 30.

Multiple alcohol distillers have already begun producing hand sanitzer for donation to hospitals or free distribution to the public.

Holland-based Coppercraft Distillery said it plans to donate a total 10,000 gallons to Holland Hospital with the first batches becoming ready early next week, and Mammoth Distillery, with locations in Central Lake, Bellaire and Traverse City, began making hand sanitizer to give away for free to the public Wednesday.

Any Distilled Spirits Permittee may now “immediately commence production of hand sanitizer or distilled spirits (ethanol) for use in hand sanitizer without having to obtain authorization first,” state officials said.

Hand sanitizers may contain “denatured or undenatured ethanol, glycerol (not less than 1.45% of the finished hand sanitizer product on a volume basis) and hydrogen peroxide (not less than 0.125% of the finished hand sanitizer product on a volume basis),”

“Even in times of crisis, Michiganders have shown their willingness to step up and help each other,” Gov. Whitmer said. “I am profoundly grateful for the Michigan distilleries who are putting people before profit and are using their production facilities to make hand sanitizer during this COVID-19 emergency.”

According to Centers for Disease Control, “laboratory data demonstrate that 60% ethanol and 70% isopropanol, the active ingredients in CDC-recommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers, inactivates viruses that are genetically related to, and with similar physical properties as, the 2019-nCoV.”

As of Thursday, Michigan had 334 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including three deaths.

Sorry, but your browser does not support frames.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces(computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

Read more on MLive:

Complete coverage at mlive.com/coronavirus

Thursday, March 19: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

More than 800 price-gouging tips

Two more coronavirus deaths reported in Michigan

Coronavirus has closed liquor stores in other states, but Michiganders will likely still have alcohol access

As coronavirus closures abound, here are 10 things still open in Michigan

Michigan releases interactive map locating free meals for children during coronavirus school closures