The U.S. federal government will allow firms to begin manufacturing their own hand sanitizer with limited guidance as the spreading coronavirus dwindles supply across the country.

Due to high demand for hand sanitizer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it will not take action against firms that begin manufacturing hand sanitizer for consumers and health care professionals, the agency said in a statement.

"We are aware of significant supply disruptions for alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Many manufacturers make hand sanitizers, and several have indicated that they are working to increase supply," FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement. "In the meantime, these guidances provide flexibility to help meet demand during this outbreak.

The FDA said it issued its new guidance after receiving reports of consumers and health care professions unable to access sanitizer after demand skyrocketed due to the spreading coronavirus, which has been confirmed in all 50 states and has infected more than 14,300 people in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University data.