Customs denies reports of curbs on import of medical essentials

The Customs Department has denied ordering a halt to imports of medical items required to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
According to various online media, the department had issued an urgent order "stopping import of products, such ad personal protective equipment (PPE), thermometers and respirators".
In a statement, the department rejected the reports as false. "The Customs Department has never issued a letter notifying operators or importers to stop importing products, such as PPE, thermometers and respirators and these can be imported as usual," the statement said.