A representative of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade said that they have directed a review of vacant land areas and are ready to operate when traditional markets and wholesale markets have to close.
At an online meeting between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Hanoi City this morning (July 31), Ms. Nguyen Phuong Lan - acting director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade - said that this agency has directed a review of vacant land areas and are ready to operate when traditional markets and wholesale markets have to close. At the same time, they have divided the gathering and selling points to avoid disrupting the food supply.
According to Ms. Lan, although Hanoi is implementing social distancing, there has been no local shortage of goods so far. Although purchasing power has increased by about 30%, there are still enough goods for people.
The Department of Industry and Trade prepares for wholesale markets to close.
However, in a bad situation, the number of F0 increases, and food supply localities also have to distance themselves, so the transportation of agricultural products from localities to Hanoi may be difficult.
Therefore, the Department of Industry and Trade has directed units to regularly gather goods at warehouses in Hanoi to proactively stock goods, and at the same time assign districts and towns to proactively source goods according to the 4-on-site principle.
Previously, regarding the appearance of F0 cases in the Southern wholesale market, Ms. Lan said that in case of infection detected in traditional markets, they will have to temporarily close and immediately carry out epidemiological treatment and containment measures. When the market is safe, it will be allowed to reopen.
If epidemiological factors are not ensured, the market will not be allowed to open, instead, the city will arrange mobile sales points.
According to Ms. Lan, because the epidemic prevention plans at the market are activated, when a market closes, the flow of goods is still guaranteed, and the supply of goods is still adequate.
"Hanoi has been proactive and prepared the supply of distribution systems for many months now. When there are fluctuations, Hanoi can still fully meet the needs of the people," Ms. Lan affirmed.
According to Ms. Lan, Hanoi has developed a plan to reserve goods at 3 levels. When the epidemic increases, the demand for shopping increases sharply, goods are likely to be locally scarce, or there are difficulties in circulation, Hanoi will increase the amount of reserved goods by 3 times.
At the same time, mobilize the total force to transport goods from warehouses outside the city into the city; prepare human resources to transport goods overnight into the inner city, and increase opening hours. If more advanced measures are needed, nearly 2,000 mobile sales points will be activated.