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Fish safe for consumption: Health Ministry

26 Oct 2020

The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed that fish and related products are safe for consumption, provided that they are cooked in a hygienic manner. Speaking to The Morning, Ministry of Health Acting Director General of Health Services Dr. S. Sridharan said: “There is no scientific evidence that the virus can thrive on fish that is well-cooked, although in a theoretical sense, the Covid-19 virus can thrive on any surface for a considerable amount of time, unless it is disinfected.” Dr. Sridharan further reiterated that while the fish is being prepared for cooking or is transferred from the refrigerator, one must refrain from touching their face with the same hands. Moreover, Dr. Sridharan said that utensils that are used for storage or for the cooking and preparation of fish need to be washed thoroughly after they have been used. He also added that Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi had over the weekend instructed the Department of Fisheries and the fisheries outlets across the country to continue to operate under strict health and safety guidelines, which should be followed by vendors, suppliers, and consumers. In this regard, the Department of Fisheries and fisheries trade unions are tasked with coming up with suitable health guidelines that they should continue to follow and submit the same to the Ministry of Health which will later on be imposed after the clearance of regulations by ministry officials. In the meantime, those who are involved in the fisheries trade and fish stalls are asked to wear a face mask at all times, practise hand washing or sanitising as necessary, maintain physical distance, and adopt respiratory etiquette.  


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