During his inspection visits to some wet markets in Da Nang on Monday, municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son highlighted the need to put in place flexible measures to control the spread of COVID-19 at these high-risk venues and ensure a sufficient supply of goods for local residents.

Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son (first, right) ordered strict observance of the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health during his onsite visit to Cam Le traditional market. Photo: M.QUE

At the Non Nuoc wet market in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son stressed the need to raise awareness of compliance with the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health among market stallholders. In addition, it is necessary to develop a plan for a mobile market in case the market is closed because of COVID-19 exposure in a bid to ensure the supply of goods for people in Hoa Hai and Hoa Quy wards.

Mr Son observed that stallholders at the Non Nuoc Market are seen following the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, and using nylon sheets around their stalls to avoid direct contact with their customers. There are currently 500 selling points for food products with nearly 450 stallholders operating at the Non Nuoc Market.

Non Nuoc Market temporarily closed in early January after 78 cases of COVID-19 had been detected. Since January 11, no new cases have been reported in this venue and the Ngu Hanh Son District authorities have allowed it to resume its operations from January 15.

The market has been professionally cleaned and disinfected before reopening. It currently operates at 50% capacity and stallholders rotate their operations at this venue every three days. The market will be allowed to return to full operations if it reports no new cases for a whole week.

At the Cam Le Market, Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son asked the market authorities to use loudspeakers to remind all stallholders to use anti-droplet goggles properly, disinfect their hands with alcohol based hand rubs, and avoid gatherings altogether to eat a meal, as well as use a QR code for COVID-safe check-in.

Vice Chairman Son underlined the necessity to strengthen anti- virus measures at the Con market to tackle COVID-19 as this venue is a major trading place of the city. He remarked that the market must operate smoothly as there are only 2 weeks left until the Tet Festival.

After paying inspection visits to the three markets, Vice Chairman Son urged the municipal Department of Industry and Trade to take the most effective measures to ensure the supply of goods before, during and after Tet. He stated that the temporary closure of some wet markets in the city has greatly affected the circulation of goods, thereby directing management units to develop action plans in a bid to ensure smooth consumption of goods for market stallholders.

Reporting by MAI QUE – translating by H.L