Volumes of people have gathered at the Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF) despite concerns over the spread of COVID-19, according to organizers.

The annual event organized by the Book Publishers Association for the 22nd consecutive year, is currently underway at the BMICH, under strict guidelines. With Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. onboard as media sponsors, CIBF is a major event in the public calendar. This year’s Book Fair however has attracted several criticisms due to concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus.

“Because it’s the first time that people have been allowed to attend a public function like this, there is an unexpected crowd. It’s understandable as people have been cooped up for six to eight months,” President of the Association Mr. Vijitha Yapa said. He assured however that strict measures are in place in order to maintain social distancing and hygiene.

“As people enter their temperature is checked, then there are places that they can wash and sanitize. Then they must wear a mask without which you can’t enter the fair,” Mr. Yapa detailed several regulations and measures in place at the Fair.  “For those who may not have come with masks we have arranged a place where masks are available at Rs. 15, which is the lowest price anywhere in Sri Lanka.” He added that as an additional precaution, wash basins and sanitizers have been placed in several book stalls as well.  “We have been given guidelines and we are strictly adhering to that,” he said.

Asked if it’s possible to practice physical distancing within the halls, Mr. Yapa said there are designated persons employed by the organizers to monitor that social distancing is practiced at the venue.

“When families come together sometimes there are difficulties. But we are trying our best to maintain social distancing at the venue,” Mr. Yapa said.

He stated that the venue is completely sterilized by members of the Red Cross every morning and evening. “There may be shortcomings,  but we are also trying to encourage people to return to normal life. The crowds are not as high as last year. But even then, there are queues to enter certain halls due to special security precautions in place,” he said.

According to Mr. Yapa, in halls A and B only a maximum of 600 persons are allowed at a time. Special machines installed to monitor the footfall in these areas help organizers control the crowds within the venue at a given time, he said.(Kalani Kumarasinghe)