About 47 out of 234 traditional markets in HCM City with traders of fresh food, dry food and essential goods have opened.

According to the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, traditional markets earlier this week remained closed in districts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, Go Vap, Phu Nhuan, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon and Nha Be.

About 22 markets are planning to reopen, including Dan Sinh and Thai Binh in District 1; Ban Co, Nguyen Van Troi and Vuon Chuoi in District 3; Phung Hung, Tan Thanh and Dong Khanh in District 5; Tan My in District 7; Rach Ong, Pham The Hien, Nhi Thien Duong and Xom Cui in District 8; Binh Hung Hoa, Da Sa, Khu pho 2, Binh Long and Kien Duc in Binh Tan District; Phu Nhuan, Tran Huu Trang and Nguyen Dinh Chieu in Phu Nhuan District and Phuoc Loc in Nha Be District.

All unofficial gathering and trading activities, however, that encroach on roads and fail to ensure epidemic prevention and control and food hygiene and safety are prohibited.

Locals are encouraged not to support or trade at prohibited market areas.

Resolution 128, classifying four levels of the epidemic, states that traditional markets, restaurants and eateries are allowed to operate on the basis of epidemic prevention and control.

However, in very high-risk areas, the provincial People’s Committees will announce necessary and specific conditions for these activities to be carried out more safely.

Some traders in traditional markets are concerned about a decrease in buying power from customers. Trinh Minh Quang told e-newspaper VnExpress that he has been able to sell one-tenth of his seafood compared to months ago.

“Fresh seafood, when it cannot be sold within three to four days, will go to waste. We are trying to keep my store open as a reminder to our customers that we are still in business,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pham Trung Hieu, owner of a chicken eatery, pointed out that locals’ habits of dining at home has discouraged them to order takeaways. — VNS