The Ministry Of Trade Relaxes Export And Import Regulations To Fulfill Medical Devices And PPE

Minister of Trade, Agus Suparmanto. (Photo: Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The government continues to make efforts to fight the corona virus or COVID-19, which is increasingly spreading. One of them, the Ministry of Trade has carried out relaxation related to export and import regulations regarding medical devices and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto explained that this quick and strategic step was taken to anticipate the scarcity of a number of medical devices (medical equipment) during the COVID-19 emergency response period in Indonesia.

Agus said, there were four Regulations of the Minister of Trade that had been revised to meet the availability of medical equipment needed, especially by medical personnel in hospitals or clinics that handle COVID-19 patients. As well as, meeting the needs of society in general in Indonesia.

First, policies related to the temporary ban on the export of antiseptic products, raw materials for masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and ethyl alcohol. The Ministry of Trade has issued MOT 34/2020 concerning the Second Amendment to MOT 23/2020 concerning the Temporary Prohibition of Exporting Antiseptics, Mask Raw Materials, Personal Protective Equipment and Masks which is valid until 30 June 2020.

"The prohibition is to ensure the availability of antiseptic products, raw materials for masks, personal protective equipment, masks and ethyl alcohol which are important for service and personal protection for the community," he said, in a written statement received by VOI, in Jakarta, Monday, April 6.

Agus said the need for these products was very high and had to be met quickly to prevent the spread of the outbreak and to deal with the COVID-19 virus which is currently spreading in the world and in Indonesia.

Second, the temporary exemption of surveyor reports (LS) for imports of masks and PPE products as well as the necessities and completeness of medical devices until June 30, 2020 in accordance with MOT No. 28 of 2020 concerning the Eighth Amendment to the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 87 of 2015 concerning Provisions for the Import of Certain Products.

The medical equipment included in the temporary LS exemption, said Agus, included medical protective clothing, protective clothing from chemicals or radiation, surgical clothing, examination gowns made of artificial fibers, surgical masks, other masks made of nonwoven materials, and infrared thermometers. .

Apart from that, continued Agus, there are also other items in the form of sanitary towels, sanitary tampons, baby diapers and similar items made of materials other than textiles, paper or paper pulp for single use.

"The import relaxation given is an exception to the existing requirements, namely LS provisions in the country of origin or port of loading, and restrictions on ports of entry," he explained.

The consideration for the release, said Agus, was a quick reaction to dealing with this virus and was the result of coordination with relevant ministerial agencies, especially the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry.

"We ensure that the availability of medical devices and PPE can be immediately fulfilled through the relaxation of this policy," he said.