A vendor who runs a meat-cutting business serves a client in Namibia's capital Windhoek on April 21, 2020. Authorities in Windhoek said on Monday that the Namibian capital will re-open informal markets on Wednesday following amendments to COVID-19 lockdown regulations banning all open markets and informal trading activities. (Photo by Jacobina Mouton/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Windhoek said on Monday that the Namibian capital will re-open informal markets on Wednesday following amendments to COVID-19 lockdown regulations banning all open markets and informal trading activities.
Namibia, which has reported 16 confirmed cases, six of which already recovered, has been enforcing a lockdown since March 27.
Oshetu Community Market, Okahandja Park Market and Soweto Market will be the first markets to re-open on Wednesday while the eight others will follow once disinfection is completed, the City of Windhoek said in a statement.
It said he ban on open markets and informal trading activities has had serious negative effects on informal traders, especially producers and vendors of fresh food produce.
"It has also been recognized that food is one of the listed essential goods, and that a large section of the population depend on informal trading and markets as the main avenue for them to either sell or source the essential produce or products, which in turn are their main source of income and survival," the statement said.
Only fresh vegetables and fruits, raw meat and fish, dried food, dairy products, poultry products, cereals and flour products and cooked food prepared at home will be allowed to be sold at the open markets.
Traders and customers will be required to maintain social distancing and traders may be required to alternate on a daily basis to ensure that all traders have an opportunity to trade in cases where the area cannot facilitate social distancing.
Traders and their employees should wear masks as part of the amended regulations while sanitizers and other disinfectants must be provided to ensure that all those who enter and exit the trading areas follow set sanitizing or disinfecting procedures.
The city said the open markets will be assessed from time to time to determine compliance with the guidelines and provisions of regulations, and that non-compliance will result in the offending markets being shut down. Enditem
