QC gov’t sets stricter protocols in markets in bid to avert new virus spread

Quezon City’s Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) head, retired police Col. Popoy Lipana (middle), leads inspection at the Bagbag Market in Novaliches. Photo courtesy of QCMDAD

MANILA, Philippines —  The Quezon City government has ordered stricter precautionary measures in all of the public and private markets in its jurisdiction in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

Among the measures to be implemented are the designation of a single entry and exit points in all markets, as well as social distancing and sanitation procedures, the local government said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Quezon City’s Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) head for operations, retired police Col. Procopio Lipana, the designation of a single entry and exit points in the markets was the city’s way of preventing mass entry of market visitors.

Lipana added that all markets were directed to make sinks, clean water, and alcohol available in its entry and exit points.

“Handwashing areas should be accessible to the public, even inside our markets. We ultimately want to stop this virus from spreading,” Lipana stressed.

Market vendors were likewise ordered to wear face masks and gloves, he also said, as market-goers must wear face masks, too, and present their quarantine passes.

Lipana further said that all markets in Quezon City will only be open for business from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

As for supermarkets and grocery stores, Lipana said they will be asked to extend operating hours from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily “to accommodate more shoppers for the purpose of lessening crowds in local markets.”

Meanwhile, Assistant City Administrator for Operations Albert Kimpo said all eight city-owned markets and 73 privately-owned markets were instructed to compute their vacant space or walkway-to-per-individual ratio.

The ratio of at least one square meter per person should be observed, Kimpo noted.

“Kung ang walkway nila ay may sukat na 20 square meters, dapat ang papapasukin lang sa palengke ay dalawampung katao,” he explained.

(If their walkway’s measurement is 20 square meters, only 20 persons must be allowed to go inside their market.)

“Inaatasan din natin ang market owners na maging responsable sa pagpapatupad ng kaayusan ng pila papasok sa kanilang palengke,” urged Kimpo.

(We are also tasking market owners to be responsible in enforcing order along the line going into their market.)

Meanwhile, Mayor joy Belmonte said: “We understand that our residents still need to go out and buy their essentials such as food.”

“That’s why we make sure to keep them safe by enforcing the protocols of social distancing and the wearing of face masks.”

As of Wednesday, the country has a total of 5,453 people infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Of this, 941 are from Quezon City.

KGA