Why has the Centre declared masks, hand sanitisers as essential commodities?

Bengaluru: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said that in view of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, masks and hand sanitisers have been declared as essential commodities.

The order was issued due to concerns that during the last couple of weeks, masks and hand sanitisers have reportedly not been available with most of the vendors in the market or are available at high prices. We look at the steps taken by the government as Simplified by Jervis Arthur.