Coronavirus In India: Govt Exempts Customs Duty, Cess On Essential Medical Items

The government on Thursday removed customs duty and health cess on ventilators, face and surgical masks, personal protection equipment, and Covid-19 test kits.

(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The government on Thursday removed customs duty and health cess on ventilators, face and surgical masks, personal protection equipment, and Covid-19 test kits with a view to boosting the availability of these products in the country to fight coronavirus pandemic. "In the context of Covid-19 situation, considering the immediate requirement of ventilators and other items, the Central Government has granted exemption from basic customs duty and health cess, on the import of these goods, with immediate effect," the department of revenue said in a statement. These exemptions will also be applicable to inputs used to manufacture these items. "This basic customs duty exemption shall be available up to the September 30 this year," it said. Total cases of coronavirus in India have risen to 5,865, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday. There are 5,218 active Covid-19 cases and 477 people have recovered. The death toll has also risen to 169 after 20 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Watch: Covid-19: 25 people dead in last 24 hours in Maharashtra