Iran bans export of medial oxygen, gases amid surge in virus cases
The Iranian customs office (IRICA) has imposed a ban on exports of medical grade bulk oxygen and other gases needed in hospitals to deal with a new surge in the coronavirus pandemic.
An IRICA spokesman said on Wednesday that the ban had been enacted by Iran’s ministry of trade (MIMT) in response to a request earlier this week by Iran’s Food and Drug Organization.
Rouhollah Latifi said the ban could help overcome a shortage of medical oxygen and medical and industrial gases in hospitals across Iran as they are coping with increasing numbers of patients infected with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Iran, under a series of American sanctions since 2018, has largely relied on local industries to fight the pandemic since it began in the country in late February.
Manufacturers have been able to export their surplus products to other countries although there have been some brief curbs on shipments involving certain drugs and medical equipment.
A blanket ban on exports of all types of face masks was imposed in June after the government made it mandatory to wear masks in public places.
Iran has been the hardest hit country in the Middle East by the pandemic. Its health ministry said on Wednesday that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had surged by 2,636 to reach a total of 298,909.
A total of 16,343 patients have died from the virus, including 196 people over the past 24 hours, while there has been 259,116 recoveries, showed figures provided by the ministry.
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