Vinh City: Many F0 cases appear at the market, traders are worried about not opening after Tet

According to the reporter's records, atVinh market- The largest market in Nghe An, in contrast to the bustling scene during Tet, is deserted these days, the paths are sparsely populated. The most noticeable thing is that many kiosks and stalls are still closed, not yet open for the new year.

At Vinh market, the number of shops reopening after Tet has only reached 60%. Photo: QA

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, a main vendor at Vinh market, said: "I have been open for a week now, but out of the 10 kiosks, only 3 are open. The stalls next to me have not opened for business since Tet. They only leave their phone numbers so if someone needs them, they can ship them to them, but they don't go to the market..."

According to statistics from Vinh Market Management Board, as of February 14, only 60% of the traders in the entire market had reopened after Tet, the rest had not reopened for business for many reasons. The main reason was the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Many kiosks at Vinh market have not reopened after Tet. Photo: QA

Specifically, since Tet until now, through screening tests, 14 cases of Covid-19 infection have been recorded as traders at the market, therefore, these traders were forced to close their shops and stop selling for treatment, and the kiosks next to them, if in close contact, at high risk, must also be quarantined.self-isolationto ensure safety. Besides, after Tet, people's shopping demand is not high, the market is deserted, plus the epidemic, so many small traders are taking a break.

Similarly, at Vinh Ga Market, there have been consecutive cases of Covid-19 infection, including traders and the market management board. Mr. Le Vinh Hung - Head of Vinh Ga Market Management Board said: "As of February 14, the market recorded 12 cases of Covid-19 infection, including 10 traders and 2 people in the market management board, only 50% of traders reopened after Tet, the remaining kiosks are still closed, not yet back to business...".

At other markets in Vinh City such as Quan Lau market, Phong Toan market, Hung Dung market... the number of traders reopening after Tet is still low. Most food and essential goods stalls have resumed trading, the number of stalls closed are focused on clothing, shoes, cosmetics...

Due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, the number of shoppers at markets after Tet has decreased sharply. Photo: QA

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong - Deputy Manager of Phong Toan Market, Ha Huy Tap Ward said: The whole market has about 200 traders, but so far only about 100 traders have opened their shops. Besides the Covid-19 epidemic, the lack of customers after Tet is also a reason why traders are not interested in reopening. People now go to the market once for a few days, even a week because of fear of the epidemic, so the market is very deserted. In addition, some traders still believe that "January is the month to have fun" so they often reopen after the 15th day of the first lunar month...".

Vinh City has 26 markets with a total of about 12,000 traders. Through discussion, Vinh City leaders said: Although the Covid-19 epidemic is complicated, all traders have been vaccinated with 2-3 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. In addition, the city has directed wards, communes, and market management boards to drastically implement epidemic prevention work at traditional markets. Therefore, even if F0 traders appear, the city will not temporarily suspend market operations as before. The business and trading of traders and people at the market will be maintained stably, continuously, and ensure safety in the coming time.