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AIM​
  • To provide guidance on how best to facilitate the safe and gradual reopening of wholesale markets and have effective measures in place to protect the health of staff and customers by reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission as much as practicable.
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REGULATE ENTRY 
  •  ​Regulate entry to ensure premises do not become overcrowded and not to exceed the maximum allowed occupancy.
  • Maintaining capacity of 30% in terms of shops, customers and employees.​
  • Thermal screening of employees, and customers (entry prohibited for those with a body temperature of 38 degrees or higher).
  • Ehteraz App to be downloaded by all employees and customers, and check that the status is green to allow entry.
  • Domestic vehicles allowed at the main market gate only.
  • A restricted number of trucks & industrial vehicles allowed entrance through different gates and timings.
  • Regulate entry to ensure premises do not become overcrowded and close off the market entrance when the number of visitors reaches allowed capacity.
  • Limit number of building entrances & exit (only 2).
  • Dedicate separated doors for inflow and outflow.
  • Closure of entrances to the other areas of the market.


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PHYSICAL DISTANCING
  • Keep occupancy of public places/venues, workspaces, businesses, and shops at a minimum space of 9 meters square per person​
  • Keep at least 1.5 meters distance between people.
  • Increase space between vendors and limit the number of customers who can enter the market at one time based on the visitation rate.
  • Remind customers of social distancing requirements - Clear and visible signage.
  • Use floor markings to maintain physical distancing.
  • The maximum number of salespeople per shop is 2, and for wholesale a maximum of 3.
  • Signage, stickers, and banners will be displayed in multiple languages.
  • Staff numbers & retailers should be kept at a minimum (30% of normal level of staffing) to manage the operations.
  • Make regular announcements to remind customers to follow social distancing advice.
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INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
  • Masks to be worn by all staff and customers.
  • Employees must undergo regular testing as per MOPH guidance.
  • All regularly touched surfaces should be disinfected frequently using standard disinfection products.
  • Provision of hand sanitizers in several locations within the market for customers uses such as entrances, halls, toilets, etc.
  • Retailers should have sanitizer dispensers and surface disinfectants to clean the frequently touched areas.
  • Managers, staff, and vendors can wear disposable gloves during market operations. However, gloves provide a barrier between hands and produce; however, they can be a source of contamination if not appropriately used and should be replaced as per policy and guidance.
  • Vendors should not use tablecloths to make it easier to clean and sanitize surfaces. There should be increased cleaning at the start/end of the day.
  • Markets/vendors can use standard disinfectants as a sanitizing agent. Remind vendors that the virus can stay on surfaces for hours to days, on cardboard for 24 hours, and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel.
  • Trolleys will be disinfected/sanitized before and after each use.
  • Hand washing stations with soap and hand sanitizer should be brought in for customer use.
  • Public toilets open with strict hygiene measures in place.
  • Allocate a designated room for isolation to be used in case of suspected cases.
  • Ensure that the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available for each cleaning and disinfectant to provide data on their quality.
  • Porters older over the age of 50 years are not allowed to work during this phase.
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HANDLING OF PRODUCTS
  • ​Minimize the handling of products by employees and customers.
  • Eliminate samples of products to reduce the risk of contamination.
  • Discontinue the use of display items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized. 
  • No test products/ reusable samples will be permitted.
  • Plastic film to cover items to prevent customers from touching them.
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SHOPPING BAGS
  • Re-usable bags: should not be used – recyclable paper bags or single-use plastic bags should be used instead.​
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PAYMENT AND MONEY HANDLING
  • Markets and vendors should minimize cash transactions and encourage the use of cards for payments.
  • Clean and disinfect the card payment equipment after each use.​
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EDUCATION & AWARENESS
  • Keep employees and customers updated on COVID-19 safety and prevention information and guidelines.
  • Emphasize that protecting public health is paramount.
  • Use MOPH health messages and materials.
  • Let customers know what steps you are taking to keep them safe.
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ONLINE ORDERS
  • Offer to take orders online with delivery or allow pick up.
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TO REMAIN CLOSED​
  • No Auctions.​
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VULNERABLE GROUPS​
  • Make special considerations for vulnerable groups and keep them safe and protected.
  • Children aged 12 and below are not allowed to enter.​
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Copyright © 2022 Ministry of Public Health. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Services Assistant خدمة المساعدة الخاصة بكوفيد-19
COVID-19 Services Assistant خدمة المساعدة الخاصة بكوفيد-19