The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) urged governments to exercise caution when implementing trade restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries can implement temporary export limits to prevent domestic shortages of critical goods but “taken collectively, export restrictions can be dangerously counterproductive,” the IMF and the WTO said in a joint statement on Friday.

“In particular, we are concerned by supply disruptions from the growing use of export restrictions and other actions that limit trade of key medical supplies and food,” the statement said.

The joint statement also warned regarding the supply of trade finance, saying: “Adequate trade finance is important to ensure that imports of food and essential medical equipment reach the economies where they are most needed.”

In addition, it said, critical workers for agricultural production are not able to move while new cropping seasons are starting.

“We urge governments to address these challenges in a safe and proportionate manner,” it underlined.