Nghe An: Many local markets are indifferent to Covid-19 prevention measures.

Given the complex developments of the pandemic, the People's Committees of Dien Chau and Yen Thanh districts have issued documents on strengthening several measures to prevent and control Covid-19 at markets, restaurants, and business kiosks in the districts.

Accordingly, communes and towns should provide sufficient hand sanitizer in convenient locations; the Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control in communes and towns, and market management boards should regularly deploy personnel to guide and supervise the wearing of masks, sanitizing, and maintaining social distancing during transactions and purchases.

At Hom Market in Hop Thanh commune, upon seeing the reporter's complaint, the market management only provided hand sanitizer as a "preemptive" measure. Photo: Reporter.

However, observations at many local markets in the area...Yen Thanh districtOn the morning of June 28th, it was evident that COVID-19 prevention and control efforts here were not receiving enough attention, and many people were still not wearing masks.

The Hom Market in Hop Thanh commune is one of the local markets.local marketThe largest market in Yen Thanh district, especially bordering Dien Chau district, where the Covid-19 situation is complicated, has been observed to remain open with all three entrances and exits open; however, there are no hand sanitizing stations at any of the market gates.

Many people in the Hôm market area of ​​Hợp Thành commune are wearing face masks incorrectly. Photo: PV (taken on the morning of June 28)

Only when reminded did the market management hastily bring out bottles of hand sanitizer and place them on a table, without any signs or instructions reminding people to wash their hands before and after entering the market. As a result, almost 100% of people entering and leaving the market did not wash their hands with sanitizer.

In the market area, many peoplenot wearing a maskOr they wear masks in a perfunctory manner, and there are no authorities reminding people to implement the "5K" disease prevention and control measures.

The situation at Yen Thanh town market was similar. All three market gates were open, but there were absolutely no hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrances. Many vendors in the town market area did not wear masks, or wore them in a way that was ineffective.

Ms. Nguyen Nghia, Head of the Yen Thanh Town Market Management Board, acknowledged that the market management board had not implemented COVID-19 prevention and control measures as instructed by the province and district due to being "busy" with many other tasks.

A vendor in Yen Thanh town market is not wearing a face mask. Photo: PV (taken on the morning of June 28).

Going further up to the hospital market in Tang Thanh commune, it was observed that although banners urging people to join hands in preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic were hung at the market entrance, there were no hand sanitizing stations for people coming to the market; the situation of crowding and buying and selling goods still occurred there.

The hospital market in Tang Thanh commune does not have hand sanitizing stations within the market area. Photo: PV

Dien Chau District is currently experiencing a high number of Covid-19 infections, with all communes and towns implementing social distancing measures according to Government Directive 15 on Covid-19 prevention and control. However, at the Dien Xuan commune market on the afternoon of June 28th, although hand sanitizer dispensers were placed at the market entrance, no one reminded people to use them, so shoppers paid no attention.

Inside the market, although there wasn't any crowding, many people still refused to wear masks, or wore them incorrectly.

Although the afternoon market in Dien Xuan commune (Dien Chau district) has hand sanitizing stations, people don't pay much attention to them because there is no guidance or reminder from the authorities. Photo: PV

Many vendors at Dien Xuan afternoon market were not wearing masks. Photo: PV

Some residents believe that the communes need to take action.administrative penaltiesThere are some cases of people not wearing masks when going to the market and public places. Only then will everyone strictly adhere to wearing masks; otherwise, it will be very difficult to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Covid-19 pandemicThe situation is becoming complicated, therefore, authorities at all levels need to direct the strict implementation of disease prevention and control measures in their areas, especially in local markets.

Previously, the Provincial People's CommitteeNghe AnA document has been issued regarding strengthening the management of business activities in markets in the area to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control. Accordingly, for markets where no outbreaks have occurred, local leaders are responsible for directing forces to set up checkpoints at market entrances, leaving only 1-2 entry and exit points open. They are also responsible for deploying control forces to guide the implementation of disease prevention and control measures; establishing points for selling face masks; organizing temperature checks; and requiring hand sanitization for all vendors and customers entering the market.