Tobacco market opens in Limbe amid strict Covid-19 measures
Tobacco market opens Monday morning in Limbe amid very strict measures to prevent coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
It also opens amid severe criticism from some section of the society as to why the government is prioritising opening the markets while forcibly closing down churches.
AHL Group spokesperson Teresa Ndanga has said that there will be restrictions of entry into the market.
“Only those with a duty to do will be allowed in and people will observe the social distance,” she said.
This is the third tobacco market to open this year after Kanengo in Lilongwe and Chinkhoma in Kasungu.
Ndanga said at least 1,500 bales of tobacco are expected to be sold today at the market.
Tama Farmers Trust president Abel Masache Banda said farmers expect good prices for their tobacco.
“We hope it will be a good day for our farmers,” he said.
The opening of the market comes barely a day after the police shut down churches in Balaka.
There is no normal person or govt which can compare the adverse effects of shutting down a controlled tobacco market with unregulated church services.
Firstly tobacco is out main export product in the country so as a country we need to sale our tobacco as urgently as we can more so now as we need monetary resources to fight covid 19. In contrast your so called religious praying areas combined the whole country can’t even earn US$1,000,000 of forex or tax per year.
Secondly the tobacco auction floors have put in strict regulatory measures to avoid spread of covid 19. Access is being controlled, everyone is putting on a face mask, handwashing disinfectants are available and the huge volume of the floors vs the number of people admitted is way below recommended requirement. But visit some of the local religious praying areas you will see the recommended prevention measures being deliberately ignored thereby putting people at risk.
Please Malawians let’s not put mere religious beliefs above scientifically proved covid 19 prevention measures. The God I know can not punish you because your didn’t go to church in fear of getting the virus. In fact he would even be happy because you are properly taking care of your body. God will always be there but this coronavirus won’t be there till time immemorial so let us sacrifice a little by avoiding being found in groups, church gatherings inclusive. PRAY AT HOME!
the Catholic parish in balaka doesn’t like this at all