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COVID-19: Maldives receives permission to ship medical equipment from India

The government of India has granted permission to bring a consignment of medical equipment procured by the State Trading Organization (STO) that is required for treating COVID-19 patients.

The High Commission of Maldives in India published a tweet on Wednesday stating that STO was unable to bring the procured equipment to the Maldives due to the lockdown that was imposed in India in response to COVID-19. However, the Indian state has now granted permission to transport that equipment to the Maldives. The tweet further details that the equipment includes some apparatus required to test for COVID-19.

Speaking to AVAS, STO said the consignment includes various medical tools including bags used in ventilators and oxygen tubes. According to STO, the equipment will be brought to the Maldives by air.

Most countries closed its borders amid COVID-19 pandemic to contain the spread of the virus. However, countries are now opening the borders, including the Maldives, which is expected to open its borders in July.