Following the relaxing of restaurant rules, businesses are looking for protective screens to keep customers more separate. That means an explosion in trade for acrylic suppliers. We met one supplier who said business has gone up 50% overnight. Some office spaces are also getting transparent screens installed.

The phone’s ringing off the hook. Another customer’s asking for transparent screens.

Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait two weeks before it can be shipped. This supplier is overrun with orders and production can’t keep up.

This laser cutter cuts 60 by 40 screens. Each one takes two minutes and someone has to be there throughout. When we dropped down to Level 2 on July 27, some restaurants reopened for eat in, and sky-rocketing orders for protective screens sent profits flying 50%.

Lin Chih-hung
Manufacturer
The acrylic manufacturers in the north are mostly overrun already, so customers have been looking to mid- and southern Taiwan. Some of us who have more orders may need a week or two before we’re able to ship the product.

This manufacturer has even had orders given to him by northern colleagues. It’s not just restaurants that need screens. Offices and cram schools are looking for them too. Some customers come to the factory to see if they can hurry the process along.

As this manufacturer points out, screens are easy to make at home. You can simply cut up a big piece of cardboard from a stationery store.

Lin Chih-hung
Manufacturer
But this might mean you can’t see your friends at the next table in the restaurant. Also, it’s lighter so it might be a bit unstable.

Homemade screens may be flimsy and hard to clean. Lots of businesses are plumping for professional acrylics. Protective barriers have never been so in vogue.