Trojan Condoms — one of the largest condom companies in the world — is urging online retailers to consider condoms "essential" items during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Condoms being deemed essential items would allow them to be delivered quickly like medical and cleaning supplies, as retailers are leaving 30-day shipping windows for items deemed "non-essential."

"More time together spells more sex," Bruce Weiss, Vice President of Marketing for Trojan Condoms, said. "Trojan believes that condoms are essential to avoid STIs and unintended pregnancies that can be avoided with their use."

Concerns about an impending condom shortage have been raised by the United Nations as condom manufacturers close down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Trojan Condoms — one of the largest condom companies in the world — is urging online retailers to consider condoms "essential" items during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"More time together spells more sex," says Bruce Weiss, Vice President of Marketing for Trojan Condoms. "Trojan believes that condoms are essential to avoid STIs and unintended pregnancies that can be avoided with their use. Condoms are more important than ever before and should be considered essential products amid the COVID-19 outbreak."

According to a statement by Trojan, if condoms were deemed "non-essential" items by retailers, consumers could face 30-day waiting periods for their packages and may even risk having unprotected sex. Condoms being deemed essential items would allow them to be delivered quickly like medical and cleaning supplies.

A shortage or delay in waiting for condoms could mean increased rates of unplanned pregnancy and STI transmission across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials have expressed concern that a kink in the supply chain could lead to a spike in STIs or unintended pregnancies

The New York City Health Department threw its weight behind Trojan on Wednesday. In a statement, the department said condoms are one of the best preventative measures people can take against the transmission of HIV — which is especially important as people immune-compromised from HIV/AIDs are at a higher risk for developing more deadly symptoms of COVID-19.

The United Nations expressed a similar concern about an impending condom shortage after Karex, a producer that makes every one in five condoms globally, announced it would be producing 200 million less condoms from mid-March to mid-April do to factories being shut down because of COVID-19.

"A shortage of condoms, or any contraceptive, could lead to an increase in unintended pregnancies, with potentially devastating health and social consequences for adolescent girls, women and their partners and families," a UN spokesperson told AFP.

Trojan stated is it working with retail partners "at a fast and furious speed" to global ensure condoms demand can be met.

"We urge online retailers to consider reclassifying condoms as 'essential' and speed delivery to all during this unprecedented time," Weiss said.