Minister of Trade and Industry Nevin Gamea banned the export of oxygen, except with the approval of the Ministry of Health, an official decree in the Gazette read.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the minister lifted the ban on exporting surgical masks and preventive supplies to all foreign markets in September, which had been imposed earlier last year.

Egypt has sent hundreds of oxygen cylinders to coronavirus-ravaged countries, including India and Tunisia.

Since early this year, the state officials have reiterated the availability of oxygen in hospitals. In January, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly ordered the doubling of oxygen production in the country for hospitals.