Exports of ICU equipment and sanitizers banned in wake of Coronavirus outbreak

The Union government on Tuesday banned the export of ventilators, other ICU equipment and sanitizers with immediate effect in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Ministry of Commerce issued an order prohibiting the export of ventilators and sanitizers.

Previously on March 19, the government had banned the export of all surgical/disposable masks and textile raw material used for making masks.

On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi government of delaying its decision to ban the export of life-saving equipment like ventilators amid the coronavirus outbreak, suggesting a “criminal conspiracy”.

“Respected Prime Minister, why did the Indian government allow the export of all these things till March 19 contrary to WHO’s advice to keep sufficient stock of ventilators and surgical masks. Which forces encouraged these games? Isn’t this a criminal conspiracy,” Gandhi asked in a tweet in Hindi.

Rahul Gandhi also tagged a news report which claimed that India did not stockpile coronavirus protective equipment for health workers despite WHO guidelines in this regard.

The Congress on Monday also demanded the dismissal of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and the ministry’s secretary for “allowing the export of masks and ventilators” till March 19 despite WHO caution on the coronavirus outbreak much earlier.

“Dear PM, Should you not sack Union Commerce Minister and Commerce Secretary for permitting exports of ventilators, surgical masks, face masks, raw material for masks/coveralls up till March 19,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

“Was this not playing with the health of doctors and paramedics staff and with Coronavirus patients who need ventilators. How was their export allowed?” Surjewala said.

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“This is criminal as our own doctors, nurses, patients are facing acute shortage of masks and other equipment, besides ventilators,” he said.

Rebutting the Congress charge, BJP leader Amit Malviya on Monday said the decision was taken on January 31, much before any WHO advisory came.

He also shared on Twitter a textile ministry statement which gave details of the decisions taken by it in coordination with the health ministry.

“The government of India had banned the export of N95 masks, body overalls and 2-3 ply masks on 31 Jan itself, much before any WHO advisory. N95 respirators and body overalls being the most critical personal protective gear for COVID-19, haven’t been allowed to be exported since,” Malviya, BJP IT cell in-charge, tweeted.