UP veggie markets emerging as ‘spreaders’ of Covid-19

MEERUT: As lockdown snatched their livelihoods, a lot of people took to selling vegetables. Most hand-pulled carts, which earlier sold chaat, burgers and momos were now headed to wholesale vegetable markets, which were already bustling with traders, farmers and local vegetables sellers.
“On their return, some of them brought the novel coronavirus along with the farmfresh vegetables,” a senior health department official said, adding that the ‘mandis’ have become virus “spreader” in several cities. Notwithstanding lockdown, most vegetable markets across Uttar Pradesh were crammed with people shoving each other to buy cheap and fresh vegetables and fruits. Earlier this week, at least 24 traders and their contacts tested positive for Covid-19 in Meerut’s Naveen Sabzi Mandi. It is shut now, and the administration is tracing the contacts. In Agra’s vegetable market, a whopping 28 Covid-19 cases came to the fore. It was also shut down. Fo ur cases were reported from Lucknow’s Kesarbagh vegetable market and two from Shamli’s Adarsh Naveen Sabzi Mandi. Hapur’s vegetable market also reported one case.
The threat is more because some vendors go door-todoor to sell the vegetables.
In Meerut, the wholesale market was decentralised. It has been set up at two places to divide the crowd. “We have decentralised Meerut’s Naveen Sabzi Mandi. It will be shifted to LIC Ground in Kankerkhera and in Jagriti Vihar from its actual location at Delhi Road,” said Anita C Meshram, Meerut divisional commissioner.
‘Get veggies in bucket or in bag with zero contact with seller’
It will be ensured that social distancing is followed strictly there. Colour coding will also be done for each mandi and passes of separate colours will be issued to vendors for different mandis,” said Anita C Meshram, Meerut divisional commissioner.
The wholesale market in Agra was also decentralised. The municipal corporation has started supplying vegetables and fruits in packets from door-to-door.
Doctors have also advised caution while purchasing vegetables.
“People should get the vegetables in a bucket or in a bag with zero contact with the seller. Then keep it in warm water with disinfectants like vinegar for at least an hour. After this, vegetables should be washed thoroughly at least twice before consumption,” said Dr Vishwas Chaudhary, Meerut’s district surveillance officer.
“There are a lot of people involved in selling vegetables and fruits. Right from those who grow them at the farm, to those involved in packing them and sending them further to the mandis, and eventually those who take them to the customers. This is why sabzi mandis are at a risk almost everywhere and can become major hotspots if not controlled timely,” said Dr Chaudhary.