COVID-19: Export Of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitisers BANNED By Government

NEW DELHI: In the light of rapidly rising cases of coronavirus in the country, especially in the three megacities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Ahmedabad, the Government of India has banned the export of Alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Sanitisers are an essential component in the fight against the deadly coronavirus infection and are used as a disinfectant to prevent the spread of the disease.

A notification issued by Directorate General Foreign Trade (DGFT) said that the Centre has amended the notification of 24th March related to the export policy of sanitizers with immediate effect.

Earlier, on March 19, the central government had imposed a similar ban on the export of ventilators, disposable masks, coveralls and other essentials necessary in treating coronavirus cases.

Also, on February 25, DGFT had banned exports of personal protection equipment (PPE), including N-95 masks. At that time, surgical and disposable (2/3 ply) masks were not prohibited.

Between April and November 2019, India exported about $845 million worth of those products. In 2018-19, the exports were $1.27 billion, according to data from the Commerce Ministry.

The move by the government is meant to boost the availability of hand sanitisers in the domestic market amid the outbreak of the infectious Covid-19 disease.

Hand sanitisers were one of the first products to be sold out at retail outlets across the country as the coronavirus infection started spreading in March. Sanitisers of reputed companies are not available in the market till date due to the extended lockdown and several gaps in the supply chain.

from League of India