Da Nang is under strict stay-at-home orders. if the regulations prolong further, the supply and distribution chain of goods, of course, will be adversely affected. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a plan to re-open traditional markets which meet strict requirements set out by the local authorities. This is all what locals are looking forward amid the tough COVID-19 prevention curbs with all activities banned.

A temporary market in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District helps meet the urgent public demand for food. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Thanh Khe district houses 12 traditional markets, but all of them have temporarily closed down for the sake of the city's Covid-19 prevention and control measures.

In recent days, all the essential needs of residents across the district have been distributed through the authorities of the residential groups.

At a recent meeting with Thanh Khe District administration, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang suggested that Thanh Khe District pilot the ‘green markets’ model.

As for step-by-step plans mapped out by the Thanh the District authorities, in the case under which traditional markets are allowed to resume their operations, only 20-30% of the stall holders in each market located in the so-called ‘green zones’ (known as coronavirus-free sites) are allowed to sell essential items such as vegetables, meat, fish.

Markets’ authorities will arrange stalls 3-5 metres apart, and each stall must be equipped with partitions so that traders do not directly communicate with one another. Also, the aisle space is wide enough for traders to organise the transportation of goods.

In addition, the district will set out some pandemic prevention and control requirements for traders participating in sales at markets.

“The district’s government plans to approve the restoration of 3 markets - Phu Loc in Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Tan An in An Khe Ward and Nguyen Kim Supermarket’s market in Chinh Gian Ward. Once approved, these markets will daily operate from 5:00am to 4:00pm.

Households must register with the supply team their residential areas on their needs of food and necessities. All delivery and payment acts are completely conducted via these supply teams.

In a similar vein, Ngu Hanh Son District is also planning to reopen the Khue My and Non Nuoc markets and with specific criteria set. The markets are scheduled to operate 4 hours per day, from 5:00am – 9:00am daily.

Mr. Le Minh Hoa, Head of the Economic Department of Ngu Hanh Son District, once Khue My Ward is identified as a ‘ green zone’, the namesake market will be put into operation for the provision of essential goods for about 5,207 households with a combined total of about 21,000 people.

The total number of traders offering the sales of essential goods such as rice, meat, fish, vegetables, spices and dried food across the ward is 58 for the time being.

A scene of a mobile sales point in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District before the practice of the stay-at-home order. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Meanwhile, in Son Tra District, the An Hai Bac Market based in the namesake ward is the only one to be allowed for re-operation in the coming time as scheduled.

As for strict COVID-19 prevention rules which may be applied to this market, all stalls are at least 7 - 10 metre apart, and all shoppers must have their body temperatures measured and their hands disinfected before entering the market, and keep a required distance from others whilst doing the shopping.

However, according to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Vice Chairman of the Son Tra District People's Committee, the restoration of the traditional market during this period may encounter some difficulties. For example, at present, the traditional sources of vegetables, fish and meat from the already-sealed-off Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market, the Tho Quang fishing wharf and the Da Son slaughterhouse, respectively, have been broken and the recovery date is unknown.  As a result, many traders find it very hard to access these food sources.

In addition, many traders are not ready to re-open trading acts during the tough COVID-19 curbs. According to a direct survey recently conducted, about 60 - 70% of traders are not ready to do business in light of this complicated coronavirus wave.

Currently, Son Tra District is maintainning the operation of 12 mobile food supply points and temporary markets for food supplies for locals.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG – Translating by A.T