Amid a new wave of Covid-19 infections, the Management Boards of traditional markets in Da Nang are concentrating on encouraging all market stall holders and market- goers to practise the city's social distancing rules to prevent the spread of the virus. 

A shopper undergoing compulsory body temperature measurement before entering the Con Market

Due to the large flow of market- goers, these markets are deemed key areas for Covid-19 prevention and control. Many precautionary measures have been strengthened to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

At present, many mobile barriers have been placed in the large downtown markets of Han, Con, and Dong Da in Hai Chau District and others in the districts of Lien Chieu, Son Tra, Cam Le and Hoa Vang, in order to control the density of market- goers.

Also, regularly-refilled sanitizing hand rub dispensers are put in prominent places around these markets.

All market stall holders and market- goers, plus staff working in traditional markets across Da Nang are required to wear face coverings, wash their hands with sanitizer, maintain a 2 metre distance from others, and undergo compulsory body temperature measurements.

Staff members of the Management Boards of traditional markets have conducted regular patrols to ensure the strict compliance with the physical distancing mandates.

According to Mr Nguyen Dac Hung, Head of the Con Market Management Board in Hai Chau District, at present, 100% of stalls selling non-essential goods at this venue have been closed.  The remaining 400 stalls selling food and essentials are allowed to to remain open.

During body temperature screening, anyone who appears to have symptoms upon arrival at the market, a cough or fever for instance, will be separated from others right away, and immediately be reported to local health authorities for further monitoring.

In Son Tra District, all traditional markets have been surrounded with large numbers of barriers, market goers are required to enter these markets through only 2 entrance gates where functional forces are on duty all the daytime to conduct body temperature screening.

Also, all makeshift trading areas along approach streets leading to the markets are forced to close in a bid to avoid gatherings and crowds. 

Meanwhile, the provision of food and essentials for local quarantined sites has been ensured. Till date,  An Thanh, Bao Nguyen and An Binh An companies, all of which involve in providing meals for employees working at the city-based factories, have registered for the supplies of free meals to designated quarantine facilities.

By KHANH HOA – Translated by A.T