Nghe An: Covid-19 prevention and control still neglected in traditional markets

At Vinh market, sellers do not wear masks and buyers wear masks incorrectly. Photo: Thanh Phuc

On the morning of April 26, at Vinh market - a wholesale hub supplying goods to Nghe An and Ha Tinh, where many people from all over come to trade and buy, wearing masks and hand sanitizers has not been strictly implemented. Most of the vendors do not wear masks when interacting with customers; some people wear masks when coming to the market, some do not. Currently, the entrances and exits of the market no longer have banners, posters, or warning signs about epidemic prevention; there are no more hand sanitizer tables.

Mr. Thai Van Hai - Deputy Manager of Vinh Market said: “Every day, the Market Management Board informs on loudspeakers about the epidemic situation; recommends disease prevention and control and assigns people to go to the counters to remind and propagate, however, people are still subjective. During the previous epidemic, we equipped hand sanitizer tables but due to the awareness of some people, the sanitizer bottles were broken, spilled and even lost. In the near future, we will supplement; strengthen control of epidemic prevention”.

It is easy to see people buying and selling without wearing masks at a pork stall in Vinh market. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In markets such as Quan Lau (Truong Thi ward), Hung Dung (Hung Dung ward), and Coi market (Hung Loc), epidemic prevention and control work is also being neglected. Sellers and buyers do not wear masks as required, there are no hand sanitizer stations, and entry and exit to the market is not controlled, and no one reminds or checks.

There are no hand sanitizer stations at the entrances to Quan Lau market. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Not only in the central markets of Vinh city, many district markets are still subjective in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic. Recorded at Quynh Xuan market (Hoang Mai town) on the morning of April 26, from the people to the traders, most of them did not wear masks when buying and selling goods at the market.

A pork vendor at Quynh Xuan market said that for a long time, people have been wearing masks to prevent the epidemic, but recently, seeing that the epidemic situation in the province has stabilized, with no Covid-19 cases in the community, people go to the market without wearing masks, and only wear them when the inspection team reminds them to do so.

At Quynh Xuan market (Hoang Mai town), neither buyers nor sellers wear masks. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In the Giat market area (Quynh Luu), according to records, in recent days, the implementation of Covid-19 prevention and control here has not been serious, people are negligent in wearing masks. According to observations in front of the market gate, there are no signs recommending measures to prevent and control Covid-19 such as: regularly washing hands properly, wearing masks when entering and exiting the market or antiseptic solution.

On April 23, the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch No. 541/CD-TTg dated April 23, 2021 on strengthening the implementation of Covid-19 prevention and control. In the dispatch, the Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to strengthen vigilance, resolutely, synchronously and effectively implement the proposed epidemic prevention and control measures with the motto "active prevention, early detection, quick isolation, effective treatment, decisive handling, and rapid stabilization of the situation".

Mr. Ho The Thanh - Head of the Health Department of Quynh Luu district said: "Given the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee of the district has stepped up recommendations and propaganda for people to implement prevention and control measures, not allowing the epidemic to spread in the community; focusing on promoting propaganda and dissemination so that people can grasp and strictly comply with legal regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control. Along with that, the Steering Committee will inspect, remind and strictly handle individuals who violate regulations on disease prevention and control at traditional markets in the area".

Markets are places with a high risk of disease intrusion. If not well controlled, they will become hotbeds of disease spread in the community. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Currently, there are 405 markets in operation in the province, including 7 grade 1 markets; 18 grade 2 markets; 244 grade 3 markets and 136 temporary markets.Traditional markets are places where people from many places gather to trade and do business, posing a potential risk of disease. If drastic preventive measures are not taken, the risk of cross-infection when the epidemic becomes complicated is very likely to occur, and traditional markets can easily become hotbeds of disease if someone is infected. Therefore, authorities at all levels, management units, and market operators in the area need to drastically implement disease prevention and control measures and strictly handle violations.