HCM City to reopen wet markets to ease pressure on supermarkets
Many wet markets in Ho Chi Minh City will be reopened, while ensuring all COVID-19 preventive measures in place, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Nguyen Phuong.
HCM City (VNA) – Many wet markets in Ho Chi MinhCity will be reopened, while ensuring all COVID-19 preventive measures inplace, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade NguyenNguyen Phuong.
Priority will be given to those selling fresh foods,vegetables and fruits, Phuong said in a press conference on July 19 updatingthe COVID-19 situation in HCM City, the country’s current largest hotspot.
The city has closed down three wholesale markets andtwo-third of wet markets as part of its effort to intensify COVID-19 responseafter dozens of coronavirus cases linked to the local traditional markets werefound, according to the official.
The city has then shifted to modern retailers, such assupermarkets and convenience stores, to supply goods to its residents, causingmounting pressure on these channels and an increasing risk of infection, hesaid.
To fix the problem, he continued, the Department ofIndustry and Trade is considering reopening multiple wet markets, identified assafe, to ensure adequate and prompt supply of necessities and effective fightagainst COVID-19, he noted, adding that 5K message must be followed and directcontact must be minimised between customers and shopkeepers.
Thirty-nine wet markets remained open in the city, mostlyin Thu Duc City, and the districts of Go Vap, Binh Chanh, Can Gio and Cu Chi,while three others have been allowed to reopen, including Phu Tho in District11, An Dong in District 5 and Kien Thanh in Binh Tan District. Plans are beingcrafted for more markets to open.
About 40 wet markets will be soon made available again ifall requirements are met, Phuong said.
Besides, the department has worked with the municipalPeople’s Committee to prevent price hikes and protect rights of customers. Itplans to meet with the city’s market surveillance force on July 20 tostrengthen supervision of retailing systems and get tougher on speculators whotake advantage of the pandemic to buy goods in bulk and resell them atunreasonably high prices, he said./.
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A wet market in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
