Amid Rising Number Of Covid-19 Cases, Govt Restricts Export Of Diagnostic Kits With Immediate Effect

In the wake of rising cases of Coronavirus in the country, the Central government on Saturday (4 April) banned the exports of Covid-19 diagnostic kits with a view to discourage shipments of them, reports The Hindu.

“The export of diagnostic kits (diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, preparation diagnostic or laboratory reagents)... is restricted with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

The exports of these products were earlier allowed without any restrictions. Putting them under the restricted category would mean that an exporter will now require a license from the DGFT for outbound shipments.

Earlier last month, the government had banned the export of all surgical masks and textile raw material for masks on 19 March. Later on 25 March, the government prohibited the export of ventilators and sanitisers.

In February, the export of all personal protective equipment (PPE), including clothing and masks used in healthcare activities where there is a risk of contamination such as N-95 masks, reports Economic Times.

It should be noted that the Covid-19 cases in the country have risen to 2,902 with 68 fatalities recorded so far.