Local businesswoman Moe Lei Sam has called for the food stalls at the Savalalo market to remain shut, as she claims random health inspections will not address its poor hygiene issues.

Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.), which runs the Savalalo market, closed down the food stalls section after an inspection by a Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) team concluded it was in breach of their hygiene and sanitation regulations.

Food stall operators who want to return to business will now have to undergo medical checks done by the M.O.H. before they are issued with health cards, which will give them clearance to do business.

However, Ms Lei Sam told Samoa Observer that the food stalls should be permanently closed due to their unhygenic condition and random health inspections will not address the health threat.

She said the food stalls section, if allowed to reopen, will become vulnerable to the threat of diseases. 

"That place should be shut down permanently. A health inspection won't make any changes at all. That place is untidy. If those people don't know how to look after their place then what's the point? I don't trust any of them. Look at the virus that is currently spreading, these are the diseases we have to be very careful about. Samoa has to be very careful."

While the market’s food stall section is a popular hangout for workers and high school children, Ms Lei Sam said she has never bought food from the section due to its condition.

“I never buy stuff from that place because of its condition. Even the floor is not clean and the people there don't keep it tidy at all,” she added.