Trade

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SINGAPORE: Guide on COVID-19 Vaccination: Regulatory Issue

COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread across the globe causing severe economic and social disruption worldwide. While the world continues to see the detrimental effects of COVID-19, it also begins to welcome the unfolding global endeavour of vaccine development and deployment. The global pharmaceutical industry has announced its commitment towards developing vaccines for COVID-19, and several vaccines have since been authorised by various national regulatory authorities for public use, with vaccinations taking place in several countries across Southeast Asia.

This quick guide explores the various regulatory issues arising in different parts of Southeast Asia, briefly covering vaccine registration and administration, as well as each country's regulatory framework, as of 20 April 2021.

SINGAPORE: Joint Ministerial Statement on Ensuring Supply Chain Connectivity amidst COVID-19 Situation

On 7 April 2020, a Joint Ministerial Statement was issued by Singapore, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Lao PDR, Myanmar, New Zealand and Uruguay regarding their collective response to combat COVID-19 and its repercussions on trade disruptions. In this Update, we highlight the commitments by the countries to maintaining open and connected supply chains, and to working closely to identify and address trade disruptions with ramifications on the flow of necessities.

INDONESIA: Indonesia Temporarily Halts Export of Masks and Medical Protective Equipment

Following the announcement from the World Health Organization that declared Covid-19 as a pandemic, the Indonesian government continues making adjustment and taking steps to deal with the outbreak. As of 23 March 2020, there were 579 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 49 deaths and 30 recovery. Globally, the pneumonia-like illness has infected more than 330,000 people and taken at least 14,000 lives. 

Amidst this outbreak, the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency noted an increase in the export of protective masks from Indonesia to trading partner countries by an average of 3,000% during February 2020. Given that Indonesia is currently suffering from a shortage of protective masks due to panic buying and an increase of price, the Indonesian government issued the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 23 of 2020 on the Temporary Ban of Export of Antiseptics, Raw Materials for Masks, Personal Protective Equipment and Masks on 17 March 2020 ("Regulation") prohibiting the export of antiseptics, raw materials for masks, personal protective equipment and masks that fall under specified Tariff Post/Harmonized System.

The temporary ban of export started on 18 March 2020 and will end on 30 June 2020. Non-compliance with the Regulation will subject the errant exporters to sanctions provided for by the prevailing laws and regulations.