Virudhunagar, Jul 9 (UNI) The Fireworks manufacturers on Thursday suspended their manufacturing activities for 11 days as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus, following a sharp rise in cases over the past few days in South Tamil Nadu.

Around 1,070 registered fireworks manufacturing units in Sivakasi and its surrounding areas in this district, which accounted for more than 90 per cent of the firecracker production in the country, would remain closed till July 19, as per the decision taken by Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) and the Indian Fireworks Manufacturers' Association (TIFMA), according to TANFAMA President Ganesan Panjurajan here on Thursday.

He said 'it was highly impossible to detect infected persons among our workforce and moreover it would be very difficult to find out whether a worker had come to work from a containment zone or not.

The suspension of work would prevent spread of infection', he added.

Ten Southern districts of the State recorded 14,834 COVID-19 positive cases and 167 deaths till Wednesday, of which Virudhunagar district accounted for 1,298 COVID-19 positive cases and 10 fatalities.

The fireworks manufacturing units had shut for 43 days in March, April and May due to Coronavirus lockdown. They resumed their production activities from May 6 in a phased manner following relaxation of lockdown norms by the government.

The government has allowed only 50 percent of the workforce in the fireworks industries and directed the units to ensure that Standard Operating Procedures like proper disinfection, compulsory masks for workers and maintaining social distancing should be followed.

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