Vinh City re-evaluates markets, traders worry about installing partitions and splash guards

According to Plan No. 207/KH-UBND, Vinh cityallow markets to reopenfrom September 13, including: Hung Dung market, Quang Trung market, Ben Thuy market, Vinh market, Ga Vinh market, Chua market (Nghi Lien commune), temporary market (Hung Phuc ward) and Coi market (Hung Loc commune).

Hung Dung market is only allowed to reopen after September 17, 2021. The remaining markets will continue to be closed.

Vinh market traders reopened, cleaned up their kiosks, and did not conduct any trading on September 13. Photo: Quang An

According to the reporter's records, on September 13, the markets that were allowed to reopen in Vinh City were still quiet, with no buying and selling activities taking place.

InVinh market, the largest market in the city, goods such as food, groceries, dried goods, and essential goods are mainly concentrated in the West communal house area of ​​Vinh market with about 200 traders, but on September 13, only about 50% of the traders came out to set up shop.

Vinh Market Management Board implements commitment signing for traders when they resume operations. Photo: Quang An

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ninh, a trader at Vinh market, said: "It has been about a month since the market closed, and the stalls are covered with dust. We had to leave early to tidy up the kiosks, clean up, and prepare for a new batch of goods. We have not reopened yet."

At Quang Trung market, the market that was the hottest spot during the recent outbreak when cases of infection related to this market appeared continuously, there were no trading activities. In the area selling food and essential goods, workers are still actively installing partitions and anti-droplet shields to ensure safety before allowing people and traders to enter to trade.

Installing partitions at Quang Trung market. Photo: Quang An

Not only Vinh market and Quang Trung market, but according to the reporter's investigation, all markets that were allowed to reopen in Vinh city did not conduct any trading activities on September 13.

Explaining this issue, Mr. Tran Quang Lam - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said: "According to the plan, 8 markets are allowed to reopen, however, they must ensure strict regulations on epidemic prevention and control and must be assessed by the Department of Industry and Trade, Vinh City to ensure safety before being allowed to reopen. For now, only Coi market (Hung Loc commune) is qualified and will operate from September 14. The remaining markets are continuing to complete preparations and will be assessed in the coming days."

Accordingly, the conditions for markets to be allowed to reopen include: Workers and traders at the market must have negative Covid-19 test results within 72 hours; install partitions and anti-droplet glass; sign a commitment for all traders; arrange 1 entrance and 1 exit; thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire market, arrange staff at the entrances and exits... If the markets do not fully comply with the above requirements, they will have to continue to stop operating.

Markets simultaneously installed anti-droplet panels to ensure safety. Photo: Quang An

"The market is an area with a high risk of outbreaks, in which the last two outbreaks in Vinh City had many infections related to the wholesale market and Quang Trung market, therefore, strictly implementing epidemic prevention measures for markets when reopening is extremely important to ensure the safety of the city," Mr. Tran Quang Lam emphasized.