LONDON (UK) – Import taxes on medical equipment, including ventilators, coronavirus testing kits and protective clothing have been waived off, according to finance minister Rishi Sunak, in order to improve the hospitals’ goods supply.
Britain braces for the coronavirus crisis’ peak which will be an ultimate test of the publicly funded healthcare service’s capacity to the limit in upcoming weeks. According to official figures, 1,789 coronavirus patients have died so far in the UK.
“Waiving import taxes on vital medical equipment such as ventilators will speed up and increase the supply of critical items going to our frontline health workers.”
– Rishi Sunak, British Finance Minister
Britain is currently seeking out thousands of ventilators to cope with the upcoming demand and 10,000 units have been ordered from a consortium consisting of aerospace, engineering and F1 racing companies.
On Friday, the import duty changes were implemented but the announcement of the same was made only on Tuesday.
The British finance ministry stated that they would make Britain more attractive to companies wanting to produce or donate medical equipment.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.