Government’s distribution of care packages to the vulnerable has been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
Chief executive officer at the Barbados Agricultural Development & Marketing Corporation (BADMC), Dr Brian Francis, told the Nation that the state agency’s involvement in the programme was suspended immediately when a temporary worker assigned to the packhouse tested positive for the virus.
Local fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and ground provisions were cleaned and packed at the Fairy Valley, Christ Church facility, which were used to supplement the care packages.
Francis said the temporary worker was not feeling well on Monday and the positive test result came back Wednesday, which prompted a decision to halt packhouse operations and close for cleaning and sanitising.
Francis also revealed that four staffers at the BADMC – three who worked in the cold storage department and one driver – tested positive for the virus as well.
He said that just before the packhouse was closed, 2 000 packs of provisions were distributed to the BDF.
On Thursday, 100 people from the BADMC, including staff and temporary workers, were tested at the Wildey Gymnasium.
When the state-own company was made aware of the temporary worker’s positive result, Francis said all workers from the packhouse and the BIDC were prohibited from leaving both facilities.
Private transportation was arranged to take them home and carry them to the Gymnasium and again the following day.
Francis said there were several pounds of produce at the BADMC’s disposal which they were looking to get rid of. He said one option was through Government procurement and another was selling it to supermarkets or other interested parties.
The BADMC’s offices are set to reopen on Monday. (SB)
