Locals line up with their tanks to refill oxygen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Yangon, Myanmar, July 14, 2021. - Reuters

YANGON, July 26 (Eleven Media Group/ANN): The Ministry of Commerce announced that a total of 723 tons of liquid oxygen, 25,277 oxygen concentrators and 617 tons of Facemasks were imported during 12 days.

The ministry has allowed prompt import of equipment related to Covid-19 prevention, control and treatment including oxygen concentrators, giving exemption from import licenses though they were previously required.

On July 20th, 76 Companies imported 43 tons of liquid oxygen, 29 tons of liquid oxygen cylinders, four oxygen generators, 3,978 oxygen concentrators, 20,000 units of test kits and 55 tons of facemasks through Muse, Chinshwehaw, Myawady, Tarchileik and Mawtaung border toll gates by using 51 vehicles.

From July 12 to 16 this year, 30.869 liters of liquid oxygen and oxygen gas, 1,100 empty oxygen cylinders, 1,148 oxygen cylinders, 1,715 oxygen concentrators, five oxygen generators, one generators wit cylinder filling, two cylinder filling systems and 84.861 tons of masks were imported.

Permission for those Covid-19 medical supplies without import licenses was granted on July 12, the commerce ministry announced.

The three-month permission comes as Covid-19 spreads rapidly in its third wave.

According to a statement issued by the ministry in April 2020, the import of essential Covid-19 preventive gear such as surgical masks, PPE, hospital bed and hospital-use ventilators and accessories and surgical equipment was allowed without import licenses.

Import permission without licenses was granted for the things that were not on the negative list of goods requiring licenses, the ministry announced in another statement on May 21, 2019.

During the public holidays from July 17 to 25 announced by the State, border trade camps will remain operative and continue export and import activities. Import of Covid-19 medical supplies will be allowed in line with the SOPs coordinated by relevant departments. - Eleven Media Group/ANN

Original reference: Myanmar's junta govt imports more liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrators and face masks for people (thestar.com.my)