In the middle of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the government on Thursday banned the export of certain types of masks, ventilators and textile raw materials for masks and coveralls.
“The exports of all ventilators, surgical/disposable masks (2/3 ply) masks only and textile raw materials for masks and coveralls only falling under the ITCHS Codes specified against each has been prohibited with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said through a notification.
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Until now, exports of these products were free. On February 25, DGFT banned the export of all personal protection equipment including clothing and masks used in healthcare activities where there is a risk of contamination such as N-95 masks. However, surgical / disposable (2/3 ply) masks, surgical blades, gas masks, and disposable shoe covers were freely exported.
India exported $100 million worth of coveralls during the April-January period, a surgical apparatus worth $2.8 billion.
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The tightened norms are intended to ensure that there is no shortage of drugs in India due to the lockdown in the Hubei province of China, a major source of such raw materials that has also been the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak.
This step is likely to increase the availability of critical protective gear for coronavirus-dealing health professionals.
