The tobacco selling season is set to open next month under strict observance of the laid down COVID-19 regulations, the cash crop regulatory board has said.
In a statement, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said the 2021 marketing season opens on Wednesday 7th April 2021 whilst contract sales will open on the following day.
“The 2021 auction tobacco marketing season opens on Wednesday 7th April 2021. Contract tobacco sales will open on Thursday 8th April 2021. All selling points shall actively spearhead COVID-19 awareness campaigns at their respective premises including displaying relevant posters and fliers,” read the statement.
TIMB said they will work with police officers and local authorities to enforce closure and removal of flea markets around auction floors with farmers notified of their selling times.
“The TIMB will enlist all relevant authorities, which include the Zimbabwe Republic Police and local government authorities, to enforce the complete closure and removal of all flea markets and all vendors around the perimeter of auction and contract sales floors ahead of and during the 2021 Tobacco Marketing Season.
“The farmer shall be notified of his or her tentative selling time at the point of booking and only one farmer/representative to attend the sales. 6. Selling floors shall accept tobacco deliveries as from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, with trucks arriving outside the permissible time being turned away.
“A maximum of only two people are allowed on-board the tobacco delivery trucks (driver and assistant only). The “delivery today and sale tomorrow” policy will be enforced in full. Banking facilities at sales floors should meet ALL Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MoHCC) set COVID-19 guidelines. Premises, and in particular areas that have high human contact and moving traffic, will be continuously disinfected before, during and after sales. Schedules and records of disinfection should be displayed,” noted TIMB
The board added “No children under the age of sixteen (16) shall be allowed into tobacco sales premises and sales areas. Each sales point shall have a designated isolation area in accordance with guidelines and recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. MoHCC shall be engaged to give guidance on how to handle suspected COVID-19 cases referred to the isolation centres at the selling floors. Foot baths, full body cover mist sanitising sprays, hand washing facilities, comprising of running water with either an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap, will be installed at entrance gates for use before entry, during and after sales. All vehicles driving into the selling points should be sprayed.”
TIMB said three auction floors namely Tobacco Sales Floor Limited (TSF), Gleneagles Road, Willowvale, Harare, Boka Tobacco Floors (BTF), S. Mazorodze/ Stoneridge Roads, Waterfalls, Harare and Premier Tobacco Auction Floor (PTAF), Willowvale will operate this season
