The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide its notification dated 30th November 2020 has issued fresh guidelines to contain the spread of the coronavirus in market places. The Market places in containment zones shall remain closed and only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open-up.
Since the markets are usually crowded with high footfalls, suffer from lack of adequate sanitation amenities and have poor hygiene conditions. To prevent the risk of transmission of COVID, it is crucial that healthy environment is maintained at marketplaces. This includes, Prior to resumption of daily activities, all work areas inside the shop shall be sanitized by shop owners and Cleaning and regular disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs/handles, elevator buttons, hand rails, chairs, table tops, counters, etc.) and floors, walls, etc. to be done before opening of shops, at the end of the day and at other appropriate times, Entrance to the shops to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) arrangement.
The Health Ministry has said it will get in touch with the Market Owners Associations to ensure strict implementation of the new coronavirus rules. These market associations will have to form a sub-committee to facilitate the implementation of the new coronavirus rules for markets outside containment zones and monitor the proper implementation of the same alongside COVID-appropriate behaviour.
They have been advised to set up mask dispensing kiosks at government-approved rates at entry points and parking lots and distribute free masks to those who cannot afford them.
Shop owners, employees and visitors living in containment zones shall not be allowed entry into marketplaces.
