Regulations Implemented for Marketplaces Due to Coronavirus
A new decision concerning marketplaces has been issued as breaking news. The Interior Ministry has sent a circular to provincial governors outlining measures to be taken in markets to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to the circular, specific arrangements will apply during market operating hours. Entry and exit to market areas will be controlled, and entry and exit will not occur through the same access point. Stalls must be spaced at least 3 meters apart. The number of customers allowed into the market at any time will be limited to no more than twice the number of stallholders present.
The circular sent by the Interior Ministry requests that the enhanced measures for coronavirus prevention be implemented in neighborhood markets established in provinces, districts and towns. The ministry emphasizes that maintaining social distance is the most effective method to prevent nationwide spread of the virus. Accordingly, local authorities are instructed to ensure that marketplaces apply these protective measures and enforce them consistently. The circular stresses that the listed instructions must be fully observed and that markets operate in accordance with the specified rules and principles.
What Additional Precautions Were Announced in the Circular for Marketplaces?
What additional precautions were announced in the circular for marketplaces? As part of efforts to minimize losses and risks from the coronavirus, the Interior Ministry has added another set of measures. The key extra precautions required in market areas, as set out in the circular sent to the governors, are summarized below.
On market days, all entrances and exits other than those designated for controlled access must be closed. Uncontrolled entry and exit to market areas must be prevented.
Where possible, market entry and exit should not use the same access point. If a single access point must be used, corridors should be organized to prevent people from facing each other and to avoid crowding.
Stalls in the market must be separated by at least 3 meters.
The total number of customers admitted to the market at any time should not exceed twice the number of stallholders present.
After customers leave the market, re-admission must be coordinated so that the number of people inside — both customers and workers — remains under continuous control.
To facilitate this, entrance points should include waiting corridors where people queue with at least two meters distance between them.
To prevent afternoon and evening crowding, citizens are urged to complete their shopping earlier in the day rather than waiting until evening. This guidance applies specifically as part of coronavirus prevention efforts.