President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has waived the import duty and processing fees for a number of equipment used by healthcare workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 response efforts by the government.

The Maldives Customs Service made the reveal via a statement which reads that import duty and processing fees for some items imported during the period of the State of Public Health Emergency have been waived by the Maldives president.

These items include surgeon’s cap, gowns and coveralls, shoe covers, medical goggles as well as hazmat suits.

The change has been effective from April 26 onward.

Earlier, the president waived the import duty and processing fees for some other equipment included in personal protective equipment used by frontline Covid-19 response teams including hand sanitizer, face shield, protective mask, hand wash, protective glove, and disinfectant.

These equipment have proven to be important in the treatment of Covid-19 patients and is vital for the frontline workers in health care. Several health care workers in the frontlines of battling the disease worldwide are risking their lives in the battle, and some lives have been lost due to a scarcity in these equipment.