The government annulled its decision to ban the export of medical masks, respirators, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) from Russia, Vedomosti reported.
A ban on the export of certain types of medical devices from Russia was introduced on March 2 to “protect the interests of Russian citizens” and was to be valid until June 1. The restriction applied to the following medical devices: respirator, goggles, face mask, mask filters, chemical protective suits and overalls, medical gowns, clothing sets for medical personnel, shoe covers, bandages, cotton wool, gauze, gloves, disinfectants and antiviral agents, breathing equipment and so on.
The ban did not apply to the supply of medical devices abroad to provide humanitarian assistance to other states, as well as the export of products for personal use. A month later, by a separate decree of April 2, authorities excluded from the ban international transit traffic starting and ending outside of Russia, or between parts of Russia through the territories of foreign states.
Since the beginning of February, there has been a shortage of medical masks and respirators in Russia in both retail and large online pharmacies. The World Health Organization called masks one of the ways to prevent a new type of coronavirus infection, an outbreak of which was recorded in China at the end of last year and grew into a pandemic by March.
Currently, there is no shortage of medical masks and antiseptics, said Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov. According to the minister, the stock of masks is about 20 million pieces. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in April about 138.5 million different types of masks were produced in Russia, and another 105 million were delivered from China.
