San Fernando Mayor: Covid19 perfect time for stricter sanitation

SAN Fernando mayor Junia Regrello says after years of pleading with vendors, the covid19 pandemic created the “perfect opportunity” for stricter sanitation measures to be practised at markets, as “the law is now on their side.”

At a press conference at City Hall, San Fernando on Thursday morning, Regrello said in the midst of adversity, there is opportunity. He was speaking about the city’s preparedness to deal with the pandemic.

“It is so difficult to implement change. People are set in their ways and their culture and there is resistance and challenges. But now that the law is on our side, it gives us the opportunity because it’s now mandated that you adhere to public health guidelines.

“If (pre-covid19) we had introduced a washing-hand process, they would say the mayor of the council mad. But now the law has made it mandatory. So we are capitalising on the opportunities we now have.”

Changes to the city corporation's regular sanitation measures at markets include: washing and sanitising markets daily instead of once a week, adjusting opening and closing times, and mandatory hand-washing and mask-wearing by vendors and shoppers.

Sanitation foreman Gerard Ramarack mentioned the issue of vendors leaving their goods at the market overnight. Now, they are only allowed to do so over the weekend.

“That has created problems for us in the past and I know under the stewardship of our mayor, we have worked feverishly over the past few weeks to try to break that culture, and we have seen a drastic improvement, which makes cleaning easier for us.”

Regrello added, “If we are going to leave goods day into week into month, what is going to happen?

“If all the stalls remain and are covered in tarpaulin, it’s an opportunity for rodents and roaches to get in there to feed. Bring enough goods that you can sell (out).”

Ramarack said the corporation has a team of 14 that will sanitise the markets after closing hours, which includes scrubbing stalls, and floors, washing sidewalks and desilting drains.

They both commended the Health Ministry on its handling of the pandemic, and said these new measures will continue post-covid-19.

"San Fernando is standing tall and very very proud. We don't have the problems they are dealing with elsewhere in TT. In terms of tolerance, we are right up there. In terms of discipline, we are right up there," Regrello said.