COVID 19: Muhanga struggles to comply with social distancing practices in rural markets

 In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the government has included social distancing practices among the potential mitigation activities in public settings such as marketplaces.

In City modern markets it is easy to control how people come in and out to ensure that these strategies are fully respected. Unlike in rural markets where one enters or exits from everywhere, it’s different.

Nsengiyaremye Viateur, a clothing retailer in Kiyumba market, Muhanga District, says he should remind his clients to respect social distancing but it is not perfect.

“Many people can gather while selecting clothes or paying because we still receive money in cash. I struggle reminding them to avoid physical contact as it has been recommended. If not, one can be infected and infect other”, he explained.

Kiyumba Sector Interim Executive Secretary, Nteziyaremye Germain, said measures including hand washing and wearing masks have become common but social distancing is still a problem due to the large number of people that attend the market.

However they “help those who forget to respect social distancing measures by using the sound system we have here at the marketplace”.

Niyoyita Pascal, the chief of Nyabisindu Market, located in Nyamabuye Sector, said they have extended the market. Some vendors have been relocated dealing with overpopulation in that setting.

He said: “It simply came to our notice that it was necessary to relocate some vendors and place them in another area. On the table that was occupied by three people only one left. »

In the City market of Muhanga, traders take turns, some working three days and others working four times a week.

Muhanga District Deputy Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Mukagatana Fortuné, said social distancing at rural markets can be effective in dealing with the spread of covid 19 but until now, it is not respected hundred per cent.

” We have youth volunteers and market leaders who help in reducing large gatherings and interactions but they are not 100% perfect. We will continue to empower people to the extent that everybody in the community can take their own actions”, she said.

 

Social Distancing is described as the means of keeping space between oneself and other people outside the home.

To practice social distancing everybody must stay at least 6 feet from other people, he/she should not gather in groups but stay out of crowded places.

About COVID-19 pandemic

TheCOVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2). The outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

As of 11 June 2020, more than 7.35 million cases of Covid 19 have been reported in more than 188 countries and more than 415, 000 people died.

The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact via droplets produced by sneezing, coughing and talking.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and loss of sense of smell. There is no known vaccine or specific antiviral but treatment is symptomatic and supportive therapy.

Recommended preventive measures include hand washing, covering one’s mouth when coughing, maintaining distance from other people, wearing face mask in public settings among others.