Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry on December 2, 2020, issued Standard operating Procedures (SOPs) on the preventive and precautionary measures to be followed to contain the spread of COVID19 in the country.
The Health Ministry, in recognition of the fact that marketplaces are visited by large number of people for their daily needs, shopping, entertainment, and food, has designed a protocol to contain the spread of COVID-19. Amid COVID pandemic, with gradual opening of economic activities, markets are witnessing high footfalls. Such large gatherings, without observance of COVID19 appropriate behaviour, have the potential to spread Coronavirus disease.
The SOPs outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be ensured at marketplaces to prevent spread of COVID-19. These guidelines shall be applicable to both retail and wholesale markets. Some of the bigger markets may also have malls/ hyper/ supermarkets in them.
For restaurants, with in marketplaces, the earlier guidelines issued by the Ministry shall apply. Similarly, for offices, religious places/places of worship, training institutes, yoga institutes and gymnasiums, cinema halls/theatres and any other specific activities which are part of these markets or are situated within the market complex, specific guidelines issued from time to time by the Ministry shall be applicable.
Market places in containment zones shall remain closed. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open-up, according to a PIB release.
Protecting vulnerable populations : Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes. Market Owners Associations shall be advised accordingly.
Employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees, and employees who have underlying medical conditions must take extra precautions.
The Market Associations shall be advised that such persons should not be exposed to any front-line work requiring directcontact with the public.
Promoting COVID Appropriate Behaviour : Simple public health measures are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed at all times by shop and establishment owners, visitors, and workers.
These measures include:
i. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible.
ii. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.
iii. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made outside shops and other places wherever feasible.
iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue /handkerchief / flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
v. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
vi. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
vii. Installation & use of AarogyaSetu App shall be advised to all.
Maintaining healthy environment at marketplaces : In normal times, markets are usually crowded with high footfalls, suffer from lack of adequate sanitation amenities and have poor hygiene conditions. To prevent the risk of transmission of COVID, it is crucial that healthy environment is maintained at marketplaces.
They are :
i. Prior to resumption of daily activities, all work areas inside the shop shall be sanitized (using 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution) by shop owners.
ii. Cleaning and regular disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs/handles, elevator buttons, hand rails, chairs, table tops, counters, etc.) and floors, walls, etc. to be done before opening of shops, at the end of the day and at other appropriate times.
iii. Entrance to the shops to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) arrangement.
iv. Where cars are repositioned by parking lot employees, proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. of the vehicles should be undertaken by the owner before the vehicle is used again.
v. Public utility areas and open spaces shall be sanitized with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution. This shall be done on a regular basis.
vi. Deep cleansing of the toilets, hand washing, and drinking water stations shall be done at least 3-4 times daily.
vii. The market associations shall facilitate maintaining healthy environment of public utility areas and open spaces through their own means and through local urban bodies/civic agencies.
COVID appropriate behaviour at marketplaces may be self-regulated by Market Associations through a number of measures including :
i. Creation of a Sub-Committee for each market to facilitate and monitor implementation of COVID appropriate behaviour at marketplaces (within shops and establishments as well as outside).
ii. Mask dispensing kiosks at Government approved rates may be set up at entry points and parking lots.
iii. Provision of distribution of free masks for those who cannot afford.
Ensuring COVID appropriate behaviour by Enforcement Agencies.
Where self- regulatory approach fails or lacks impact, the planning shall also entail taking enforcement actions, wherever warranted. This may include:
i. Levying of fines/penalties on defaulters for not wearing mask/face cover, or for not following physical distancing norms.
ii. Exploring the option of allowing markets/shops to open on alternate days
iii. Closure of markets in case larger number of cases are getting reported which are found to be having epidemiological links with the market by the administration.