You’ve seen the headlines: coronavirus fears have driven panic-buyers worldwide to hoard hand sanitiser, leaving many of us – often the most vulnerable – unable to access it.

This weekend, luxury conglomerate LVMH – which owns, amongst other brands, Louis Vuitton – announced plans to tackle this shortage in France, effective today. “LVMH will use all the production facilities of its Perfumes & Cosmetics brands (Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain and Parfums Givenchy) in France to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gel,” read an official press release.

These gels will be provided free of charge to official health authorities, currently struggling to keep up with the spread of the virus. These precautionary measures will last for “as long as necessary,” essentially meaning that perfume production is on hiatus for the foreseeable future.

LVMH – as well as several of its luxury competitors – has also donated money to foundations offering supplies to those affected by the outbreak.

The news adds to the list of fashion heavyweights – including Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Bulgaria – pledging their support to fight coronavirus, which has so far wreaked havoc on the industry.