Ecuador s National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) banned the export of medicinal oxygen, given its increased demand in the country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latin America Juan Zapata
COE s Head Juan Zapata claimed that as domestic medicinal oxygen consumption increased 100%, it is necessary to prioritize the local need because it is a pivotal element to save lives. It´s a firm decision, he stressed.
Zapata insisted that the regulation, which must enter into force by ministerial decree, was adopted based on speculation and the increased medicinal oxygen orders in Ecuador, where 16 of the 24 provinces are under state of exception due to the high toll of coronavirus infections. ■