By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The Ministry of Fisheries is taking necessary steps to reopen the Peliyagoda Fish Market – which was a hot spot of one of the two recent large Covid-19 clusters – next week, according to Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Indu Rathnayake.
She told The Morning that the decision was taken as a measure to revive the fisheries industry affected by the recent spike of Covid-19 patients around the country.
“The market will be reopened, adhering to the safety precautions issued by the health authorities. In parallel, all other fisheries harbours will also be reopened for operations,” Rathnayake said, adding that the Peliyagoda Fish Market has already been disinfected and that prior to the reopening, it would be subjected to comprehensive safety checkups and disinfections.
“Following the reopening of the fish market, we hope the fisheries supply will return back to normal. It is important for everybody to follow the health guidelines. Strict safety adherence will be made compulsory for each harbour along with the fish markets,” she stressed.
When asked about the infected employees of the Peliyagoda Fish Market, the Secretary reiterated that the market would be reopened adhering to all health precautions as issued by the Government.
In the meantime, the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), along with several other private entities, has decided to continue the purchase of fish stocks.
“We have already purchased around 100,000 MT of fish by utilising government-allocated funds, and private parties are also purchasing fish stocks directly from fishermen to ensure the harvest will not be wasted,” Rathnayake explained.
Furthermore, the Secretary noted that there could be several issues in some areas, adding that the Ministry along with the Department of Fisheries and CFC is providing the fullest guidance and support to avoid any inconvenience to the fishermen and also to protect the fisheries sector from the adverse effects of Covid-19.
She told The Morning that the decision was taken as a measure to revive the fisheries industry affected by the recent spike of Covid-19 patients around the country.
“The market will be reopened, adhering to the safety precautions issued by the health authorities. In parallel, all other fisheries harbours will also be reopened for operations,” Rathnayake said, adding that the Peliyagoda Fish Market has already been disinfected and that prior to the reopening, it would be subjected to comprehensive safety checkups and disinfections.
“Following the reopening of the fish market, we hope the fisheries supply will return back to normal. It is important for everybody to follow the health guidelines. Strict safety adherence will be made compulsory for each harbour along with the fish markets,” she stressed.
When asked about the infected employees of the Peliyagoda Fish Market, the Secretary reiterated that the market would be reopened adhering to all health precautions as issued by the Government.
In the meantime, the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), along with several other private entities, has decided to continue the purchase of fish stocks.
“We have already purchased around 100,000 MT of fish by utilising government-allocated funds, and private parties are also purchasing fish stocks directly from fishermen to ensure the harvest will not be wasted,” Rathnayake explained.
Furthermore, the Secretary noted that there could be several issues in some areas, adding that the Ministry along with the Department of Fisheries and CFC is providing the fullest guidance and support to avoid any inconvenience to the fishermen and also to protect the fisheries sector from the adverse effects of Covid-19.