Having the directive by President Mutharika, the Tobacco Commission (TC) has opened this year’s tobacco market season, with preventative measures against the spread of the virus at the auction floors, while it has been announced that the President himself will not partake in the custom of opening the market.

State House Press Secretary, Mgeme Kalilani, said to reduce the number of people at the event in view of the coronavirus threat, the President will not be opening this year’s market. The consolidated trade requirement for the 2020 tobacco marketing season stands at 161.4 million kilogrammes against licensed volume of 173.4 million kilogrammes.

TC Chief Executive Officer said the commission has signed an agreement with 9 buyers in terms of prices as set by the government. Meanwhile, the consolidated trade requirement for the 2020 tobacco marketing season stands at 161.4 million kilogrammes against licensed volume of 173.4 million kilogrammes.

Having opened the market amidst the coronavirus pandemic,  there will be restricted entry to the floors, scanning of temperature for all those entering the floors, regular sanitisation through use of hand sanitizers and chlorinated water across the floors in strategic places.

“The market authorities will also be ensuring that all those in the floors have Personal Protective Equipment. Sales will also be made in shifts and that there will be no pre–laying or relays and that bale gaps will be revisited to ensure that there is enough space between bales,” said the spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Priscilla Mateyu.