Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, has today pledged to enable the creation of more than eight million bottles of hand sanitizer, by donating up to two million liters of alcohol to manufacturing partners, to help protect frontline healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19.

The world's leading distiller will provide Grain Neutral Spirit (GNS) – a 96% strength ethyl alcohol used primarily in production of vodka and gin – and make it available at no cost to hand sanitizer producers in multiple countries, to help overcome shortages in healthcare systems. This donation will enable the production of more than eight million 250ml bottles of hand sanitizer.

Diageo continues to engage with national and local governments across the many countries where the company has major distilling operations. The spirit will be made available in supply chains according to local circumstances, working with the relevant authorities and hand sanitizer manufacturers. This will ensure the donation is used for maximum impact in protecting health workers and patients and that sanitizer reaches the frontline as quickly as possible.