Malawi’s Tobacco Commission (TC) announced that the tobacco market for this season will be delayed due to corona virus.

Traditionally, tobacco markets open between March and April.

The Tobacco Commission has put next 30 days to monitor the situation of coronavirus pandemic in Malawi.

Chief Executive Officer of commission, Kayisi Sadala made the remarks during a media briefing in Lilongwe.

He said that the tobacco’s players agreed to monitor the situation on the ground over Covid-19.

‘Recently, the state President Peter Mutharika declared “State of National Disaster” and therefore restricted meetings of people to no more than 100 effective March 20, 2020 until further notice. Such a declaration has coincided with the opening of 2020 tobacco season whose gatherings are always above the allowed threshold.

“The commission therefore called upon the industry captains to chat the way forward in view of the declaration. At its meeting, on Monday, March 26, 2020, the industry stakeholders agreed to monitor closely the situation on the ground for at least a period of one month from now”, said Sadala.

“However, most stakeholders including the floor operator and buyers have already put in place measures to promote hygiene and prevent the spread of the virus,” he added.

Malawi has not yet registered any coronavirus case.