In view of the looming coronavirus threat, Ministry of Consumer affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, has issued a gazette notification bringing under the Essential Commodities list the mask and hand-sanitizer, the two items considered effective in preventing the virus attack.
The Union government exercising its powers under sub-section (2) of section 2A, of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 has passed the order to regulate the production, quality, distribution, logistics of masks (2 ply and 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitizers (for COVID 19).
The order will remain enforced till June 30, 2020. The notification was issued on Friday.