Enugu State government has directed a partial reopening of the Ogbete Main Market on May 4.
This followed the relaxation of the partial lockdown imposed in the state by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, on Friday in Enugu, stated that the decision for the gradual reopening of the popular market was reached after a meeting between the government, traders and security agencies.
Though the market would be open, Ortuanya noted that buyers would however, not be allowed into the market, rather they would be attended to outside by shop owners.
The statement read: “Enugu State Government, security agencies, leaders of traders in Ogbete Main Market have unanimously resolved that there will be a partial and guided reopening of the market.
“The market is open to shop owners only to enable them serve their customers outside the market place and under no circumstance shall customers be allowed to enter the market.
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“All shop owners entering the market must wear face masks, maintain proper personal hygiene and social distancing protocol as stipulated by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).”
The traders would operate from 8a.m to 2p.m daily on the days allotted to them.
According to the statement, pharmacists, provision stores owners and restaurants would operate on Wednesdays and Fridays while wholesale food dealers would take their turn on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The SSG said that the measures would be reviewed weekly, adding that security agencies had been directed to enforce the decisions and that violators would be dealt with.
In the meantime, he said that the Akwatta Section of the market would remain closed.
