Govt bans export of ventilators, surgical/disposable masks, raw materials for masks

New Delhi, Mar 21 (KNN) The government has banned the export of masks, ventilators and textile raw materials for masks used for making masks and coveralls amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
 
“The exports of all ventilators, surgical/disposable masks (2/3 ply) masks only and textile raw materials for masks and coveralls...has been prohibited with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated March 19th 2020.
 
The exports of these products were free till now. India on 31 January banned export of all kinds of personal protection equipment, including clothing and masks used to protect people from air-borne particles.
 
However, on 26 February, the government removed eight items, including a certain kind of gas mask and surgical blades, from the list of banned export items.
 
According to Health Ministry data, coronavirus cases in India rose to 231 on Saturday.