On Monday, around 2,000 merchants of the Binh Dien market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 8 flocked to be tested for Covid-19.
The mass testing was organized after the market became a major coronavirus hotspot, recording dozens of Covid-19 cases. As of Tuesday morning, the market has been closed down to prevent further infections.
Phan Thanh Tan, director of the market's management board, said the board had cooperated with authorities to test every merchant and vendor entering and exiting the market from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Only those who test negative for the coronavirus within the last four days are allowed to leave.
"Mass testing helps the market to screen for infections, ensuring safety," he said, adding the activity would last two weeks, with two testing sessions each week.
Personnel of the market's management board reminded people to maintain order and stay away from each other, but due to the sheer number of those involved, large gatherings were unavoidable.
A medical worker takes swab samples from a woman to test for Covid-19. As of 3 p.m. Monday, around 2,000 people have been tested.
At 3 p.m., people got their test results back via announcements.
"Medical personnel on-site were too few to ensure people kept their distance," according to a medic at the scene.
At a market gate, hundreds of merchants wait for their test results. Most wear masks, though many failed to apply appropriate distancing.
Tien Ba, a merchant, said all the waiting made him tired.
"Everyone wants to get the paper to prove they tested negative so they could function as usual in the market, which led to all these crowds. I'm worried of being infected sitting in this crowd, but I would not be able to sell things without that paper," he said.
People are handed papers containing their test results. Due to the sheer number of people present, many left the scene having given up on waiting.
Sen, a merchant, holds up the paper that declares her negative for the coronavirus.
"Next time I would test for Covid-19 somewhere else. It might be a bit more costly, but it's quick and safe," she said.
These papers would expire within four days, according to the market management board.
Those who test positive for the coronavirus would be transferred to a temporary quarantine zone, and would be tested once more with RT-PCR for confirmation.
