The Centre has  decided to continue the export curbs only on specific diagnostic  kits, reagents, and instruments such as swabs sterile synthetic fibre, silicon columns and magnetic stand, amid the COVID-19  outbreak. In a notification, the Directorate General of  Foreign Trade, DGFT  said all other diagnostic kits, reagents, instruments and apparatus are freely exportable subject to submission of an undertaking by the exporter to the customs authorities at the time of export.

Amending the earlier notification, it said only specified diagnostic kits, reagents,  instruments and apparatus are restricted for exports whether as an individual item or as a part of any diagnostic kits and reagent.

The other products which are still under restricted category include VTM kits, RNA extraction kits, RT-PCR kits and reagents.

On 4th of April, DGFT had put restrictions on exports of all diagnostic kits and reagents. The move was aimed at dealing with the COVID-19 crisis as these products are required for testing of patients.