Albay town with population of 60,000 sets up satellite markets to prevent overcrowding, COVID-19 transmission

LEGAZPI CITY—Two so-called satellite markets would rise in remote areas of Camalig town, Albay province to prevent the gathering of large crowds and possible transmission of COVID-19 in the main market of the town, which has a population of more than 60,000 according to a 2015 census.

Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo said farmers and other vendors could sell their goods at 5 a.m. in the two satellite markets, actually just covered basketball courts, in the villages of Cotmon and Iluluan.

Marketgoers from nearby villages could go to the satellite market at the village of Cotmon every Monday and Thursday. At the village of Iluluan, the satellite market would be open every Tuesday and Friday.

The mayor said the measure would “minimize overcrowding and residents in far-flung places don’t need to travel to the town center’s public market.”

Vendors and buyers are required to heed social distancing rules and use personal protective equipment, like masks. Prices of goods would be monitored regularly.

Edited by TSB

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