Two Covid-19 cases appeared in the street vendor community in front of Vinh wholesale market gate

On the afternoon of January 2, Nghe An recorded 82 new Covid-19 cases, including 21 community cases. Notably, there were 2 community cases in Hoang Mai town who worked as street vendors in front of the gate.Vinh wholesale market- the area that used to be the largest epidemic hotspot in the city during recent outbreaks.

In front of Vinh wholesale market gate, thousands of people gather to buy and sell on the street and sidewalk every afternoon. Photo: QA

According to the reporter's records, in front of Vinh wholesale market area recently, there has been frequent encroachment of roads and sidewalks for business and trading. At peak times, thousands of people gather, vehicles cannot move through this area, especially on Le Hong Son, Ho Xuan Huong, Nguyen Cong Tru...

The traders here mainly belong to two groups, including traders from other districts who do not have a stable business location and traders from Vinh wholesale market who do not go to the market to do business but go out onto the street to trade.

From 5 p.m. onwards, vendors brazenly bring their carts and display their goods in the middle of Le Hong Son Street, in front of Vinh Market and the wholesale market. Photo: QA

In fact, in the past time, the functional forces of Vinh City and the wards have repeatedly patrolled, handled, and eliminated this situation to ensure the environment, traffic, and minimize the risk of an outbreak. However, until now, they have not been able to completely handle it. When there are functional forces, traders take their goods and leave. When there are no forces, traders rush out to trade crowdedly every afternoon. Controlling people in this area is very difficult.

During the two outbreaks in June 2021 and August 2021 in Vinh City, Vinh wholesale market was the most complicated outbreak, with hundreds of infections related to this market, forcing the market to stop operating many times, affecting the lives of traders and people living around the market. Vinh City has focused on controlling this outbreak and reopening the market since the beginning of November 2021.

Although Vinh City forces have repeatedly taken action to eliminate this situation, reoccupation still occurs. Photo: QA

However, up to now, there have been 2 cases of Covid-19 infection among street vendors at Vinh wholesale market, the risk of spreading is very high, it is thought that the city needs to have stronger measures to eliminate the situation of large crowds, occupying sidewalks and roads to ensure safety for people, especially when Tet is approaching.

Through the discussion, Mr. Tran Quang Lam - Vice ChairmanVinh City People's Committeesaid: The occupation of the area in front of Vinh wholesale market by small traders has been happening in the past and the city has also directed wards, communes and forces to take action to deal with this situation. There have been peak periods organized and have been maintained for a period of time.

"In the coming time, the city will direct Hong Son and Cua Nam wards to coordinate with the Traffic Police - Order Team and the City Urban Order Team to strengthen handling of this area. In addition, the city also directed the Vinh wholesale market management board to conduct random screening tests on 20% of small traders every week to promptly screen and isolate if there are any cases of Covid-19 infection," Mr. Tran Quang Lam emphasized.

Taking samples for testing at Vinh wholesale market traders. Photo: QA

2 cases of Covid-19 infection in the community before Vinh wholesale market were announced on the afternoon of January 2

1. Patient PTD,Female, born in 1961. Address: Village 2, Quynh Trang Commune, Hoang Mai Town. The patient works as a street vendor at the gate of Vinh Wholesale Market. On January 1, after the PTH patient tested positive, the patient went to the Quynh Trang Health Station for a rapid test and the result was positive. The patient has no symptoms.

2. PTĐ patient, female, born in 1968. Address: village 5, Quynh Trang commune, Hoang Mai town. The patient sells goods at the gate of Vinh wholesale market. On January 1, after the PTH patient tested positive, the patient went to Quynh Trang health station for a rapid test and the result was positive. The patient has no symptoms.