Customs duty, health cess on essential medical goods lifted

Taking into account the escalating demand for ventilators, face masks & surgical masks, PPEs and covid test kits, the government has decided to exempt customs duty and health cess on the import of these goods. As on Friday morning, the country has over 6000 patients infected with this disease.

Amid apprehensions over the dwindling numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the country, health ministry stressed on their rational use by healthcare workers. The Union government has also constituted high-level teams which will coordinate with states on containment plan, hospital preparedness and ventilator management. Meanwhile, the country has for the time being licensed the export of paracetamol and anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in appropriate quantities to some countries badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.