Two local companies have stepped up to donate their entire combined inventory of face masks for healthcare workers.

Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited donated their stock of 3M respirator masks to local health care authorities after confirming their supply of masks for use in automotive and body repair shops were also appropriate COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE).

The company has locations in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

President of Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited, Douglas Squires says upon learning that each province is in desperate need of half-face and full-face respiratory masks, they were humbled to be able to donate their inventory to protect those in the communities they serve.

Collectively, the 20 Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited branches donated 111 3M half-face and full-face reusable respirator masks and 1,580 N95 disposable masks to frontline workers.

This province received 38 half- and full-face reusable masks, and 350 of the N95 disposable masks.

The company is encouraging other industries like mining, welding, and automotive repair to check items they may not have initially thought were useful in medical settings.