Coronavirus | Masks, sanitisers declared essential commodities
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | Masks, sanitisers declared essential commodities

The Hindu  

Masks and hand sanitisers have been declared as essential commodities due to shortage in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 13, the Centre notified an order under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to declare 2 ply and 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks and hand sanitisers as essential commodities till June 30, 2020. The decision would also empower the State and Central governments to regulate production, quality, distribution and sales of these items and carry out operations against those involved in speculation, overpricing and black marketing. An offender under the Essential Commodities Act can be punished with imprisonment up to seven years, or a fine, or both.

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History of this topic

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.
1 year, 4 months ago

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.

LA Times  

Despite rising coronavirus outbreaks across Los Angeles County, officials said they have no plans for new public mask mandates — a sign of how COVID-19 policies have changed in an era of plentiful vaccines, lower death rates and back-to-normal culture. “We have such good tools right now that we really shouldn’t get there.” California COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across …

From the India Today archives (2020) | COVID-19: Life in the times of Corona
1 year, 9 months ago

From the India Today archives (2020) | COVID-19: Life in the times of Corona

India Today  

"If I keep washing my hands, China virus can be kept away." "The impact of COVID-19 on the Indian economy could be between 0.5 and 1 per cent for the first quarter of 2021", says Madan Sabnavis, chief economist with ratings agency Care Ratings. Never mind that the Reserve Bank of India had just two days before announced measures to …

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+
2 years, 2 months ago

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+

NL Times  

Companies and organizations don’t have to take measures against the coronavirus yet but are free to do so if they wish. People between the ages of 40 and 60 can make an appointment next week, and “in principle the week after,” everyone from 12 to 40 can do so, Kuipers said. But according to Kuipers, it is ‘not yet necessary …

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD

Dutch News  

Government health advisors on the Outbreak Management Team will meet at the end of this week to discuss lifting the final coronavirus restrictions in operation in the Netherlands. The number of new coronavirus cases reached a three-week high at the weekend, following the Carnaval celebrations and the February half-term holidays and the number of new infections hit almost 67,000 in …

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD

Dutch News  

Government health advisors on the Outbreak Management Team will meet at the end of this week to discuss lifting the final coronavirus restrictions in operation in the Netherlands. The number of new coronavirus cases reached a three-week high at the weekend, following the Carnaval celebrations and the February half-term holidays and the number of new infections hit almost 67,000 in …

Face masks will be mandatory in supermarkets and shops: Sources
3 years, 2 months ago

Face masks will be mandatory in supermarkets and shops: Sources

NL Times  

The use of face masks will again be required in the supermarket and other stores. The shops will be considered publicly accessible indoor spaces, and will thus be subject to the same face mask mandates expected to take effect from Friday, government sources confirmed following a report in De Telegraaf. Measures will be announced on Tuesday evening during a press …

What you need to know about coronavirus on Tuesday, October 27
4 years, 2 months ago

What you need to know about coronavirus on Tuesday, October 27

CNN  

A version of this story appeared in the October 27 edition of CNN’s Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction newsletter. WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY With US election day just a week away, Covid-19 cases are surging In just one week, the fall surge in Covid-19 infections added nearly half a million cases to the national total. British study shows evidence of waning immunity …

Coronavirus | The latecomer’s guide to face masks
4 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus | The latecomer’s guide to face masks

The Hindu  

If you’re confused with all the information about what mask to wear, and how COVID-19 is transmitted in the first place, you’re like most people who have a dozen masks around the house, with no clarity on what works best. Even if everyone around you is wearing a mask, the World Health Organization has not ruled out aerosol transmission in …

Doctors fear 'unacceptable risk' on Melbourne coronavirus ward without specialist N95 masks
4 years, 5 months ago

Doctors fear 'unacceptable risk' on Melbourne coronavirus ward without specialist N95 masks

ABC  

Doctors on Australia's coronavirus frontline at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne believe they are at unacceptable risk because they do not have adequate protective equipment, forcing some to steal specialised masks from other areas of the hospital or buy their own. Key points: Doctors at the Alfred who care for COVID-19 patients want N95 masks which provide the "best level …

Govt removed masks, sanitisers from essential commodities list against manufacturers' advice
4 years, 6 months ago

Govt removed masks, sanitisers from essential commodities list against manufacturers' advice

India Today  

The Centre ignored manufacturers' advice not to remove sanitisers and masks from essential commodities list, India Today TV has learned. On June 30, AIMeD in its letter written to government said: “As the unlock process has started in India, masks, and sanitisers are more in demand than earlier.” It said face masks should remain under essential services category for the …

Masks, sanitisers out of essentials’ list
4 years, 6 months ago

Masks, sanitisers out of essentials’ list

Hindustan Times  

The Centre has removed masks and sanitisers from the purview of the Essential Commodities Act, citing the absence of reports of shortages of such items from anywhere in the country. The emergence of two- and three-play cloth masks as adequate protection has also played a role in ensuing adequate supply. “There are no adverse reports with respect to price or …

Coronavirus | Health Ministry sounds note of caution on self-medication
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus | Health Ministry sounds note of caution on self-medication

The Hindu  

The Union Health Ministry on Monday urged people to be cautious about drug abuse and self-medication and underlined that COVID-19, which is caused by a virus and not bacteria, does not respond to antibiotics. Coronavirus, June 22 updates | State Helpline numbers for COVID-19 “There is currently no cure for COVID-19 and if you have symptoms the best idea is …

Non-medical masks not very effective, but use in public transit understandable, RIVM director says
4 years, 8 months ago

Non-medical masks not very effective, but use in public transit understandable, RIVM director says

NL Times  

Wearing non-medical mouth masks in public transit can help a little bit in limiting the spread of the coronavirus, RIVM director Jaap van Dissel said in parliament on Thursday. But he understands the government's decision to make such masks compulsory on public transit, where social distancing is often impossible, he said, NOS reports. Research shows that non medical masks "may …

Coronavirus: MHA's safety guidelines for workplaces for Lockdown 3.0
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: MHA's safety guidelines for workplaces for Lockdown 3.0

India Today  

In an order on May 1, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the nationwide lockdown for another 14 days. The same order now allows private companies in green and orange zones to function with 33 per cent of their staff. However, the MHA has issued a strict set of guidelines that have to be followed by private companies to ensure …

Coronavirus: Ministers should NOT yet tell public to wear face masks
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Ministers should NOT yet tell public to wear face masks

Daily Mail  

Home-made face masks could slow down the spread of the killer coronavirus in the UK, top scientists advising Number 10 believe. Two people wear masks while walking through Clapham Common in South London on Sunday Home-made face masks could slow down the spread of the killer coronavirus in the UK, top scientists advising Number 10 believe. So far ministers have …

Doctor’s Note: Do masks protect us from coronavirus?
4 years, 8 months ago

Doctor’s Note: Do masks protect us from coronavirus?

Al Jazeera  

A doctor explains why there are conflicting opinions about the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Interestingly, while the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also does not specifically advocate the use of surgical masks, it does advise the use of “simple cloth face coverings” made from common household materials to slow the spread …

Coronavirus | AIIMS staff told to reuse masks, personal protection equipment
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | AIIMS staff told to reuse masks, personal protection equipment

The Hindu  

A day after the Union Health Ministry advocated for the rationing of personal protection equipment, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has issued a circular on Tuesday stating that protective N-95 masks will be provided to all healthcare workers involved in direct patient care. However, medical staff have complained that there may have been “over-rationing of the masks”, with …

Australia will impose fines for illegally exporting medical supplies amid coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 9 months ago

Australia will impose fines for illegally exporting medical supplies amid coronavirus pandemic

CNN  

CNN — The Australian government will punish people convicted of illegally exporting masks, hand sanitizer or other personal protective equipment with hefty fines, under newly invoked biosecurity laws. Home Minister Peter Dutton’s office said in a statement Wednesday that the fines were one of several new emergency measures being adopted by the government to keep dwindling medical supplies inside the …

Australia seizes faulty coronavirus protective equipment imported from China
4 years, 9 months ago

Australia seizes faulty coronavirus protective equipment imported from China

ABC  

Authorities have begun seizing Chinese-made faulty face masks and other protective clothing that is being exported to Australia to help halt the spread of coronavirus. Key points: An official has dubbed some of the intercepted Chinese personal protective equipment "dodgy" Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands have rejected Chinese-made protective equipment Australia has banned face masks, gloves, gowns, goggles, alcohol wipes …

Coronavirus cases top 784,000 globally: Live updates
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus cases top 784,000 globally: Live updates

CNN  

A woman wearing a face mask walks through a market in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on March 24. A source close to the coronavirus task force told CNN the idea of asking Americans to wear masks for a period of time during the pandemic was likely to be under serious discussion. Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins …

Coronavirus crisis: Hrithik Roshan provides masks for municipal workers and caretakers
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus crisis: Hrithik Roshan provides masks for municipal workers and caretakers

India Today  

While the entire nation is under lockdown to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, there are people who are working tirelessly to keep the rest of the country safe. To help Municipal workers in Mumbai in this time of crisis, Hrithik Roshan has procured N95 and FFP3 masks. In his tweet, Hrithik Roshan wrote, "In times such as these, we must …

Health workers running out of coronavirus masks, protective gear as doctors call for urgent action
4 years, 9 months ago

Health workers running out of coronavirus masks, protective gear as doctors call for urgent action

ABC  

Doctors are appealing for more urgent government action to boost supplies of personal protective equipment to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, with one medical supplier warning hundreds of hospitals are on the verge of running out of masks. Key points: Queensland's hospitals will run out of masks in "probably about a week", a clinician says The state's chief health officer …

How To Make Coronavirus Face Masks, And How Effective They Are
4 years, 9 months ago

How To Make Coronavirus Face Masks, And How Effective They Are

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING In light of the coronavirus pandemic, face masks are in huge demand right now. When asked to address a nationwide shortage of face masks on Saturday, the White House wasn’t able to say when more health care workers across the country would be provided with more protective masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that …

[COVID 19] Central Govt. Issues Orders To Regulate Prices Of Face Masks And Hand Sanitizers [Read Notification]
4 years, 9 months ago

[COVID 19] Central Govt. Issues Orders To Regulate Prices Of Face Masks And Hand Sanitizers [Read Notification]

Live Law  

In view of COVID-19 virus outbreak, the Central Government has issued an order regulating the prices of masks and hand sanitizers.The order reads as follows: The retail prices of Melt Blown non-Woven Fabric used in manufacturing masks, shall not be more than the prices prevailing on the day one month prior to 13.03.2020 i.e. In view of COVID-19 virus outbreak, …

Coronavirus: Nearly 700K masks land at Schiphol as Dutch firms try "extortionate" pricing
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Nearly 700K masks land at Schiphol as Dutch firms try "extortionate" pricing

NL Times  

A delivery of 690 thousand medical masks arrived at Schiphol Airport on Saturday, the first tranche of millions ordered by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport from organizations in China. The ministry said it also secured another 200 thousand masks domestically, but ran into a snag to take possession of even more when some Dutch businesses tried to charge …

Coronavirus outbreak: Govt bans export of ventilators, surgical/disposable masks with immediate effect
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus outbreak: Govt bans export of ventilators, surgical/disposable masks with immediate effect

Firstpost  

New Delhi: The government on Thursday banned export of all ventilators, surgical/disposable masks and textile raw material used for making masks and coveralls with immediate effect in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. “The export of all ventilators, surgical/disposable masks only, and textile raw material for masks and coveralls only…has been prohibited, with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade …

Used facemasks and bandanas: How the CDC is warning hospitals to prepare for coronavirus shortages
4 years, 9 months ago

Used facemasks and bandanas: How the CDC is warning hospitals to prepare for coronavirus shortages

CNN  

CNN — Doctors reusing masks between patients. “I mean, in a way we already don’t.” Reduce, reuse Health care facilities facing a “crisis” may need to consider steps to ration face masks during the pandemic, even if those strategies “are not commensurate with U.S. standards of care,” according to the CDC. With only a few days of supplies on hand, …

Watch | COVID-19: Masks and sanitisers are now essential commodities
4 years, 9 months ago

Watch | COVID-19: Masks and sanitisers are now essential commodities

The Hindu  

The Essential Commodities Act or ECA was enacted in 1955 to make certain commodities available to consumers at fair prices. 2 ply and 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks and hand sanitisers have also been included in the list of items under ECA till June 30, 2020. The ECA gives consumers protection against irrational spikes in prices of essential commodities. …

Your hoarding could cost me my life — a doctor’s view from the coronavirus front lines
4 years, 9 months ago

Your hoarding could cost me my life — a doctor’s view from the coronavirus front lines

LA Times  

As a doctor working in a Los Angeles public hospital, I don’t have the choice of telecommuting or working from home. Up until last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that medical professionals treating patients suspected of having coronavirus use N95 masks, which confer the highest level of protection. And yet, every day we see photos in …

Coronavirus: Sanitizers, masks, gloves declared essential commodities in India
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Sanitizers, masks, gloves declared essential commodities in India

India TV News  

The government on Friday declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitizers as ''essential commodities'' in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of these items. These items will remain under the essential commodities segment till June-end, a move aimed at ensuring availability at reasonable prices and cracking down on hoarders/black marketeers. The government has notified …

[COVID 19]Government Declares Masks & Hand Sanitizers As Essential Commodities [Read Notification]
4 years, 9 months ago

[COVID 19]Government Declares Masks & Hand Sanitizers As Essential Commodities [Read Notification]

Live Law  

In a bid to curb the transmission of Novel COVID-19, the Central government on Friday declared masks and hand sanitizers to be "essential commodities" until June 30, 2020. They have been put under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to enable the Central government and the State government to regulate the production, quality and distribution of masks and sanitizers. The Central …

Coronavirus: Disaster Management Act invoked for vital protective items
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Disaster Management Act invoked for vital protective items

Op India  

Amidst the unprecedented scare kindled by the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the central government has decided to invoke the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Epidemic Act of 1897, to ensure regulation of prices and availability of surgical and protective mask, hand sanitiser and gloves. Government invoke Disaster Management Act to ensure prices regulation and availability of Surgical and …

Coronavirus outbreak: Govt declares masks and hand santizers 'essential commodities' amid shortages, blackmarketing
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus outbreak: Govt declares masks and hand santizers 'essential commodities' amid shortages, blackmarketing

Firstpost  

The government on Friday declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitisers as ’essential commodities’ in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of these items New Delhi: The government on Friday declared masks, including N95, and hand sanitisers as ’essential commodities’ in the wake of the coronavirus scare leading to shortages and black marketing of …

Coronavirus: Licences of 5 medical stores in Ghaziabad cancelled for selling sanitisers, masks at inflated rates
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus: Licences of 5 medical stores in Ghaziabad cancelled for selling sanitisers, masks at inflated rates

India Today  

The licences of five medical stores here have been cancelled after they were found to be selling hand sanitisers and face masks at inflated rates in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic scare, officials said. The drug department conducted raids on a number of retail and wholesale medical stores in the district following several complaints of black marketing of precautionary …

Coronavirus COVID-19 mask shortages mean GPs are shopping at hardware stores for supplies
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus COVID-19 mask shortages mean GPs are shopping at hardware stores for supplies

ABC  

Desperate GPs say they are resorting to shopping at Bunnings to buy face masks to guard against coronavirus because too few government supplies are getting to clinics and traditional stockists have sold out. Key points: The Government has released masks from a national stockpile, but GPs say they're having trouble accessing them Some GPs have complained "official" information has been …

Not Enough Face Masks Are Made In America To Deal With Coronavirus
4 years, 10 months ago

Not Enough Face Masks Are Made In America To Deal With Coronavirus

NPR  

Not Enough Face Masks Are Made In America To Deal With Coronavirus Enlarge this image toggle caption Tom Pennington/Getty Images Tom Pennington/Getty Images Mike Bowen's been a very busy man. Sponsor Message Bowen is at the center of a major problem that the coronavirus has made crystal clear: There aren't enough domestic manufacturers for critical medical supplies such as face …

Coronavirus outbreak: Masks, hand sanitisers fly off shelves as demand rises
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus outbreak: Masks, hand sanitisers fly off shelves as demand rises

Hindustan Times  

With cases of coronavirus steadily increasing across the country, there has been a surge in demand for masks, hand sanitisers, disinfectant wipes and common medicines, including paracetamol and Vitamin C tablets across the country. We are not selling disinfectant wipes and suggesting that people buy online till we get fresh orders.” Both masks and hand sanitisers were still available on …

Coronavirus: CISF provides sanitisers, gloves and masks to its airport-guarding troops
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus: CISF provides sanitisers, gloves and masks to its airport-guarding troops

India TV News  

The CISF has provided medical kits containing hand sanitisers, gloves and masks to all its personnel deployed to guard 62 civil airports in the country in view of the coronavirus scare, officials said on Tuesday. All the airports have been provided alcohol-based sanitiser bottles, hand gloves and face masks of the normal and N95 variety for use by our personnel, …

I’m an emergency doctor. I expect to get coronavirus (opinion)
4 years, 10 months ago

I’m an emergency doctor. I expect to get coronavirus (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: James P. Phillips, MD, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the George Washington University, where he serves as chief of the Section of Disaster and Operational Medicine. My colleagues and I will be on the front lines as American emergency agencies will soon likely experience a large and sustained surge of patients with Covid-19 concerns. In …

Coronavirus fears prompt shoppers to stock up on essential items, stripping supermarket shelves
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus fears prompt shoppers to stock up on essential items, stripping supermarket shelves

ABC  

Across the country supermarket shelves are being stripped bare as Australians start stocking up on essentials, should a coronavirus pandemic be officially declared. Key points: Items like tinned food, toilet paper and medical supplies are being stockpiled Experts recommend adding long-life and essential items to a "pandemic stash", rather than panic buying Those suffering from medical conditions are recommended to …

Coronavirus: FBI orders $40k-worth of hand sanitiser to prepare for pandemic as number of infected in US rises to 34
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus: FBI orders $40k-worth of hand sanitiser to prepare for pandemic as number of infected in US rises to 34

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The FBI has ordered …

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