TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto officially enacted a temporary ban on the export of masks amid the Covid-19 virus pandemic alert status, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) a few days ago.

This was stated in the Republic of Indonesia’s Trade Ministry Regulation Number 23 of 2020, concerning a temporary ban on the export of antiseptics, raw materials for masks, personal protective equipment, and masks.

The regulation on mask exports reflects the country’s efforts in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak by maintaining the availability of antiseptics, raw materials for masks, personal protective equipment, and masks.

The types of antiseptics temporarily prohibited from exports are hand rub antiseptics, hand sanitizers and the like, which are alcohol based and contain a mixture of acid, coal as well as alkali. Hand rub and hand sanitizer that are in packaging, and not in aerosol packaging, have also been prohibited from exports.

Furthermore, the raw materials for masks temporarily prohibited from exports are meltblown nonwoven fabrics made from artificial filaments, as well as materials other than artificial filaments, weighing not more than 25 grams/ square meter.

Continuing on, the personal protective equipment temporarily prohibited from exports are medical protective clothing, and surgical clothing. Lastly, masks that cannot be exported at this time are surgical masks, and other masks made from nonwoven materials.

"The important thing is for health services and protection of the Indonesian people," Agus said in the regulation, which was uploaded through the ministry’s official website, on Wednesday 17 March 2020.

Exporters who are proven to have violated this regulation may be subject to sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the prevailing laws and regulations.

The regulation, established by Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto since March 16, 2020, will take effect on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and will end June 30, 2020.

EKO WAHYUDI | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)