The public are urged to visit municipal wet markets during off-peak hours and follow the government’s COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures to reduce crowding, according to a statement by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday, which added that possibilities of the bureau adopting crowd control measures when necessary are not ruled out.
The statement noted that visitor flows are mainly concentrated at Patane Market, Bairro Iao Hon Municipal Market and S. Lourenço Municipal Market. The peak hours are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Patane Market, while for Bairro Iao Hon Municipal Market and S. Lourenço Municipal Market, they are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Members of the public, the statement advised, can visit the markets at off peak hours or visit other municipal markets to avoid crowds gathering and divert visitor flow.
Before entering the market, one must wear a facemask properly, undergo a temperature check, scan the venue QR code and present a valid green QR code, pay attention to one’s personal and environmental hygiene, as well as follow the government’s pandemic prevention measures, the statement said.
Security guards are also stationed at market entrances to provide hand sanitisers to enhance protection.
Moreover, the bureau reiterated that all market and stall vendors must complete daily rapid antigen tests (RATs), which are checked prior to them starting work every day. The vendors are also reminded to strictly follow hygiene as well as pandemic prevention guidelines. The markets are also thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily during closing hours.
This undated handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) shows a security guard stationed at the entrance of a wet market providing hand sanitiser to a shopper.
