Apparel sector playing leading role amidst COVID -19 challenges- says NCE 

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector which played and continues to play a key role during COVID-19 contributes 44 per cent to the country’s export revenue and provides employment opportunities to a large labour force in rural and urban areas of the country.
The sector’s direct and indirect employment has helped uplift living standards conforming to globally renowned ethical and good manufacturing practices (GMP).  This has earned the sobriquet “Garments without Guilt” while catering to many internationally reputed brands, the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) said in a media release on Monday.    
The enterprises export their products to markets led by the US, EU and the Far East. With the COVID-19 pandemic, both large and SME exporters, adopted their product portfolios to match a wide range of special protective apparels that were urgently needed by consumers.  This earned the confidence and reputation among buyers for been able to adopt production during challenging times, the NCE said.
The COVID-19 preventive measures taken by Sri Lanka helped to minimize the effects cause by the pandemic. Effective Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing and contact tracing mechanism have supported the dedicated medical personnel, health care workers and the tri forces to manage the pandemic efficiently. 
Apparel producers have adopted the health guidelines issued by the government to control the spread of the pandemic. “Based on the ‘recent incidents’ we at the NCE wish to reiterate the importance of effective enforcement of health protocols at all factories,” it said. It did not say what these incidents were but it probably referred to the over 1,000 infections triggered after some employees at the Brandix factory in Minuwangod were tested positive with COVID-19.  
“While appreciating the swift measures adopted by the authorities to minimise the impact on the present situation, we urge all everyone to strictly adhere to health protocols and ensure it will not occur again in future. We need to be mindful that each time a ‘relapse occurs’ the country undergoes socio-economic challenges that takes a very long time to remedy,” the statement said.