Concern about the unsafe prevention of COVID-19 at wholesale markets

Every night, at the Binh Dien wholesale market (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City), there are 10,000-20,000 people who regularly go in, buy, sell, transport goods, so the work of checking and monitoring the wearing of masks, measuring body temperature for everyone. People face many difficulties, making the city unsafe in the COVID-19 epidemic prevention.

Some cases have not strictly observed wearing masks at wholesale markets in Binh Dien, Ho Chi Minh City.  Photo: Huu Huy

Some cases have not strictly observed wearing masks at wholesale markets in Binh Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

 
Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thanh Phong instructs the city authorities to organize random tests for at-risk subjects such as drivers, wholesale markets to promptly prevent the possibility of infection in the community.

The risk of infection is very high

Ho Chi Minh City is implementing many plans to prevent the epidemic COVID-19, in which, the city pays special attention to epidemic prevention in crowded areas such as markets, shopping centers and supermarkets.

During the online meeting of the COVID-19 Steering Committee for Disease Control and Prevention in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of August 10, Mr. Tran Thanh Tung - Chairman of District 8 People's Committee - said that the district has now implemented safety assessment criteria for markets, trade center and supermarket. Currently, the district has assessed 3 supermarkets, 16 traditional markets and 1 Binh Dien wholesale market. Thereby, all units rated 95 points or more, ensuring good implementation, limiting the risk of infection.

“However, the fact that at Binh Dien wholesale market, every night, 10,000-20,000 people come in and out, it is very difficult to check and monitor the wearing of masks, check temperature measurement for customers to buy and sell. . Currently, the district also identifies the case of Binh Dien wholesale market, although it meets the criteria, but the risk of infection remains high. So in the coming time, the district will increase inspection at the wholesale market of Binh Dien ”- Mr. Tran Thanh Tung said.

According to PV Bao Lao Dong on the night of August 10 and the morning of 11.8 at Binh Dien wholesale market, although it is prescribed that small traders and traders are required to wear masks to enter the market, the reality shows that In the market area, many people still neglect to wear a mask or put on a coping style by pulling off the mask when transporting goods and buying and selling.

According to Ms. Tran Thuy Lien - Director of Binh Dien Market Management and Trading Company, right from the first phase of COVID-19 outbreak in February, Binh Dien wholesale market has implemented the mandatory wearing of masks for people entering the market. If you do not wear a mask, you will not be allowed to enter the market.

“We are aware that the wholesale market is a gathering place for many people, from many localities, so there is a high risk of infection. Therefore, any preventable measures, we are required to perform as much as possible. After the first epidemic has passed, we are temporarily not required to measure body temperature, but still carry out mandatory masking ”- Ms. Lien informed.

Random test for wholesale markets at wholesale markets

Recognizing the reflection of Reporter Lao Dong on the situation of many people neglecting to wear masks in the market area, Ms. Lien said: “During the epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City just now, people seem subjective in wearing masks. Page when coming to work, doing business at the market. Therefore, it is not strict to force them to wear masks 100% of the time at the market. Every night, we have a team similar to the quick response team to check and remind people to wear masks in the market area ”.

According to Ms. Lien, Binh Dien market campus is large, each cage house in the market has about 20,000 square meters with the number of active people about 5,000-7,000 people. With the characteristics of the worker (employee) with hands and feet to carry, it is also difficult for the employee to wear a mask throughout the working process.

“When working hard, when they are tired, they pull the mask down and forget to pull it up. When spotted, prompted, they put it on again. Therefore, it is difficult to force the mask on full time. Due to the large number of people, we will make reminders more often ”- Ms. Tran Thuy Lien said.

At the meeting on the evening of August 10, after hearing the People's Committee of District 8 report on the risk of unsafety at the wholesale market in Binh Dien, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City - said that, with the case at the first market At Binh Dien, District 8 People's Committee should strengthen more to inspect and take preventive measures.

"If there is any case of disease, it will spread very quickly" - Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong noted and instructed the city authorities to organize random tests for at-risk subjects such as driving, restaurant staff, wholesale markets ... to promptly prevent infection in the community.


NGUYEN HUU HUY