Largest wholesale market in central Vietnam shuts down over Covid threat

After the Hoa Cuong wholesale market in Hai Chau District ended its morning session at 6 a.m., over 1,300 vendors inside were tested for Covid-19 and all goods taken out of the area before the market suspended operations.

"When exactly the market will reopen depends on the coronavirus test results, from which authorities will draw conclusions about risks at the market," said Diep Hoang Thong Anh, head of the market management board.

This is the first time the market has been closed since the novel coronavirus first appeared in Vietnam early last year.

Starting 3 p.m., trucks and other vehicles that carry goods to the market were instructed to gather at the Da Nang Center Expo on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street so the goods could be distributed, ensuring unbroken food supply chains.

Hoa Cuong is Da Nang's main wholsesale market with over 1,400 vendors. It provides the city with around 300-330 tons of fruits and vegetables each day, and is the largest agriculture produce wholesale market in all of central Vietnam. Most of the goods come from the Central Highlands and the south central provinces.

On Wednesday and Thursday, six coronavirus cases were detected at the market among vendors and shoppers, according to the Da Nang Department of Health.

On Thursday alone, Da Nang recorded 78 new local Covid-19 cases, including 16 community transmissions. The city has recorded 1,801 Covid-19 cases since the fourth wave hit Vietnam in late April.

More cases are expected in the coming days, despite the fact that the city has already gone through 12 days of social distancing.

The city planned to impose a strict seven-day lockdown, under which people will not be allowed to leave their homes, if the situation does not improve in the coming days.