Food sellers at the Fugalei food court say they are aware of the health card policy targeting food handlers and they are ready for it.

An employee of one of the food court stalls, who did not want to be identified, told Samoa Observer they have started to clean up their area.

"We have cleaned everything, we've also bought tiles to fill the back because it was not good especially during the rainy seasons, but we were told by the owner that we needed to have health cards in order to work in here," he said.

The food sellers did not know of the random inspection conducted by the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) officials.

"They usually come here unexpectedly and inspect everything, so we clean everyday and make sure we are wearing proper clothes and all the necessary cleaning," he added.

The employee said they will always be ready if a random inspection was done by a M.O.H. team.

"We have also been advised by our boss that we need to get health cards as soon as possible, but as of now the Ministry of Health hasn't come in for their inspection.”

In a recent interview with the M.O.H. Assistant C.E.O. (Health Protection and Enforcement), Maee Ualesi Silva, she said that the health card policy will apply to everyone who is handling food.

The food stall market at Savalalo is now open for business after the food stall owners were issued health cards after passing rigorous health checks. 

The M.O.H is yet to inspect all other restaurants including the food court at Fugalei.