On Friday morning, many Da Nang dwellers rushed to supermarkets, convenience stores and wet markets to hoard goods in large quantities of essential goods amid fears over the municipal administration-mandated stricter measures against the COVID- 19 wave in the coming days.

Locals are seen buying essential food at wet markets on the morning of August 13. Photo taken at Dong Da Market. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

As observed by the DA NANG Newspaper reporters, there was no shortage of food but a slight increase in prices. At MM Mega Market in Cam Le District, in the early hours of this morning, the number of locals going to this supermarket was 2 - 3 times higher than  normal, most of them made the purchase of food items such as fruit and vegetables, pork, beef, fish, eggs, chicken, rice, instant noodles, soy sauce and fish sauce. At the supermarket's garage, the number of people waiting in line is very large.

Director of MM Mega Market Nguyen Tien Duong said that the number of people coming to the supermarket has increased suddenly over the few past days. However, inside the supermarket, all staff members and shoppers have always kept a 2-m distance from others.  Moreover, only anyone who have QR code entry cards are allowed to enter the supermarket for shopping.

“Food, fruit and vegetables are always present in abundance on shelves at the supermarket as the stockpiling is kept continuous. Goods have increased 3 times in quantities as compared to normal to meet the growing needs amongst local customers”, Duong said.

Meanwhile, at 3 mobile sales points in Ngu Hanh Son District organised by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, many people also queued up for the purchase. All reasonably- priced food on sale here has clear origin, thus making shoppers feel secure about quality.

Likewise, the Con Market, one of the largest of its kind in Da Nang, over the past 2 days, has seen the number of shoppers increase sharply by 30-40% as compared to normal.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tuan, the Deputy Manager of the Con Market said: “Due to the sudden increase in public demand food as compared to the previous days, some types of fresh meat products, fruit and vegetables were temporarily out of stock at some points of time. However, stall holders quickly made supplements in a prompt fashion”.

For the time being, the quantity of goods is still quite stable, ensuring the needs of the city-dwellers.
In Cam Le District, only 5 wet markets are still in operation, namely Hoa Xuan, Hoa Cam, Hoa Tho Tay, Hoa Phat, and Hoa An.

Previously, the Cam Le Market has closed down since July 27 due to its links to COVID-19 cases. Therefore, residents living nearby have switched to the Hoa Xuan and Hoa Cam markets.

From July 31 to August 11, the daily number of visitors going to the Hoa Xuan Market reached 1,500 on average.

Particularly on Friday morning, as of 7:00 am, about 1,300 people had come to the market, 3 times higher than usual.

Meanwhile, in Lien Chieu District, especially the wards of Hoa Khanh Nam, Hoa Khanh Bac and Hoa Hiep Nam where a large number of workers in Hoa Khanh Industrial Park live, bustling trading ambiance has been recorded at supermarkets, convenience stores  and wet markets.

Particularly, amongst Lien Chieu District-located wet markets, Hoa My in Hoa Minh Ward has seen the largest number of shoppers. It is known that from July 31 to August 11, the daily number of people coming to this market reached up to 700.

Over the past 2 days, the figure has climbed to about 1,000 - 1,100.

As noted at retail points and goods agents, shoppers must stand in line to keep safe a distance from others. Anyone who fails to comply with the preventive measures against the pandemic will be refused.

The number of people visiting local markets is very high in the morning of August 13. Photo taken at Dong Da market. Photo: VAN HOANG

The Con Market Authority’s staff are scanning QR codes presented by shoppers on the morning of August 13. Photo: VAN HOANG

The control of QR code shopping cards is being strictly implemented by the market management force: Photo: MAI QUE

The urban order forces of Thuan Phuoc Ward, Hai Chau District are on duty to supervise the flow of shoppers entering the Dong Da Market. Photo: VAN HOANG

There is a high consumption of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, August 13. Photo taken at Con Market in Hai Chau District by VAN HOANG

In addition to fresh meat taken from slaughterhouses, some market traders also import frozen meat from reputable establishments to meet the shopping needs of the people. Photo: MAI QUE

Goods are still in abundance. Photo: VAN HOANG

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG, VAN HOANG, MAI QUE - Translating by A.T