The threat of a third wave has prompted the government to restrict the export of Rapid Antigen Test kits used to detect Covid 19 infection.

In a notification dated August 16, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) amended the export policy for Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Kits by putting them under restricted category with immediate effect. The notification implies that any export of Rapid Antigen Kit will require a licence from DGFT or permission

On April 4, 2020, DGFT had put restrictions on exports of all diagnostic kits and reagents.

Later in June 2020, the government had relaxed its order and export of testing kits and only disallowed the export of kits used to detect COVID 19.

These included VTM kits, RNA extraction kits, RT-PCR kits and reagents, 15mn falcon tube, beads, probes (specific for Covid-19 testing), and reverse transcriptase enzymes.

While earlier, all diagnostic kits had been placed under restrictions, the DGFT in June said that all other diagnostic kits/reagents/instruments/apparatus... is freely exportable subject to submission of an undertaking by the exporter to the customs authorities at the time of exports.

On August 9, 2021, DGFT notified a quota for the export of diagnostic kits and their components/laboratory reagents for three months starting July 2021.

 These RT-PCR kits, RNA extraction kits or it's component elements (silicone columns, poly adenylic acid or carrier RNA, proteinase K, magnetic stands, beads) and VTM kits or its component elements (15 ml falcon tube or cryovials, sterile synthetic fibre swabs (nylon, polyester, rayon or Dacron).

 The number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 3,22,25,513 on Monday and the death toll climbed to 4,31,642, according to the Union health ministry data