The Indian government has temporarily relaxed its customs processes for imports of oxygen-related medical devices as the country struggles to combat a deadly new wave of COVID-19.

Procedures for devices including nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, oxygen canisters, oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators and ventilators will be suspended for three months in order to facilitate their import into the country and get vital supplies to patients quicker, the Mint reports.

It comes as the country struggles to contain a second wave of COVID-19 infections that has quickly become the world's largest outbreak. Over the past week, the country has repeatedly recorded new highs for daily cases and deaths, with almost 380,000 new cases reported on Wednesday (April 28th).

Previously, importers of these medical devices were required to complete labelling processes before goods were cleared by the customs authority at the port of entry. This is now able to be done after customs clearance, but before retail sale, in order to speed up the process of clearing items.

Abhishek Jain, tax partner at EY India, told the Mint: "This is a welcome measure and should certainly help in expeditious clearance of these life saving equipment."

In a tweet posted Thursday, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal added: "Govt under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi permits importers of medical devices [to make] mandatory declarations required under Legal Metrology Rules, 2011 after custom clearance & before sale. This will help fulfil demand [for] medical devices required for COVID-19."

Countries around the world have pledged to provide support to India to help tackle the outbreak. Shipments from the UK, US and the EU including oxygen, ventilators and other vital supplies began arriving this week.

Earlier, the Indian government also waived customs duties on the import of vaccines, medical-grade oxygen and active pharmaceutical ingredients for the remdesivir drug to help boost supplies.