New Zealand sees sex toy boom as major manufacturer declared 'essential service' during coronavirus lockdown

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New Zealand declared a month long coronavirus lockdown
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Luke O'Reilly10 April 2020

New Zealand has seen a boom in sex toy sales during the coronavirus lockdown.

Adult Toy Megastore, a New Zealand-based company, said they are selling "a lot of beginner toys" as people look to try something new.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a month long nationwide lockdown starting March 25 after New Zealand's confirmed cases passed the 100 mark.

Since then, New Zealanders have only been permitted to leave their homes to access essential services or for exercise.

New Zealanders are only permitted to leave their homes for exercise and 'essential services'
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Emily Writes, a spokesperson for Adult Toy Megastore, told The Guardian: “We’re selling a lot of beginner toys ... all our beginner ranges are very popular.

“It definitely looks like people are saying: ‘I’ve got time, I might try something new.’”

Sex toy sales reportedly tripled in the 48 hours leading into the lockdown.

While sales of condoms, lubricant, and sex toy cleaner also rose.

Adult Toy Megastore has even been declared an essential service by the New Zealand government, as it sells condoms and medical items.

It comes as a global shortage of condoms is looming after the world's biggest producer, Karex, was forced to shut down production in its Malaysian factories for a week.

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Malaysia’s Karex Bhd makes one in every five condoms globally. While it was eventually declared an essential service, it has only been allowed to restart production with 50 per cent of its staff, leading to a global shortfall of 100 million condoms.

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