Govt puts curb on export of COVID rapid antigen testing kits

New Delhi: Amid several experts warning of a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Centre has restricted the existing export policy of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing kits and imposed restrictions on the export of RAT COVID-19 testing kits with immediate effect.

"The export of COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits... has been put under the restricted category, with immediate effect," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

Exporters have to seek a licence or permission from the DGFT for shipping items under the restricted category. Such restrictions are aimed at increasing the domestic availability of the kits.

The DGFT has mentioned two categories that will be included in the restricted list under the amended export policy for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests. The first category refers to diagnostic or laboratory reagents, while the second one covers blood samples for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses, antisera and other blood fractions and modified immunological products.

Several experts have been warning of a possible third wave of the pandemic in the future.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 3,22,25,513 on Monday and the death count climbed to 4,31,642, according to the Union health ministry data.