118 market workers confirmed infected

KUALA LUMPUR: Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur has confirmed that more than 100 positive Covid-19 cases at its premises in Selayang.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers’ Association president Wong Keng Fatt said 118 workers, including 31 from the vegetable section and 87 from the fish section, were infected.

“We had hired a private laboratory to do Covid-19 tests on the workers and the results were shared with three traders associations.

“Results of workers from the fruit section are expected to be out on Thursday, ” he said.

On Jan 17, the fish section was closed for sanitisation and would resume operations on Friday.

Over the weekend, mass testing was carried out when more than 15 cases were detected among fishmongers.

A meeting between the traders associations, Health Ministry, National Security Council and Kuala Lumpur City Hall will be held today to decide whether the wholesale market should be closed.

“The vegetable section is expected to be closed for several days for disinfection but a total closure is unlikely.

“We told our association members that the vegetable section will close on Thursday while waiting for the remaining test results.

“We hope the authorities will give them at least two days to manage their supplies if there is an order to close for sanitisation, ” he said.

Previously, they had difficulty selling off existing stock and halting imports as the closure notice was issued rather abruptly.

Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers Association chairman Sing Kian Hock could not be reached for comment.