Hanoi launches 1st free face mask vending machine

The first face mask dispenser in Hanoi is open to the public on Aug. 24, utilizing facial recognition technology and supplying 45,000+ free masks to residents,  Vietnamnet has reported.

It is available at 23 Lac Trung, Hai Ba Trung District, open on mornings from Monday to Wednesday.

As the Covid-19 situation remains complicated, everyone is required to wear a mask when outside. In support of the crucial safety measures, Hoang Tuan Anh designed a face mask ATM which uses a camera system to detect users, eliminating the need to press buttons to dispense.

“This will minimize contact with the surrounding objects, hence mitigate the infection risks,” he said.

Due to high demand and out of consideration for others, each person is advised to take only one or two bags, each bag containing three medical masks.

In March, the country saw the launch and success of a similar design, the rice ATM.

Vietnam has recorded 680 local transmissions, 540 of them have roots in Danang, the nation’s hotspot of Covid-19 since late July.

As of today, there have been 27 deaths in Vietnam and over 800,000 worldwide.