AEON Mall Tân Phú Celadon in HCM City being disinfected before reopening on July 2.  — Photo plo.vn

HCM CITY — In order to stabilise food prices, HCM City authorities are considering how to reopen traditional markets, supermarkets and food stores while ensuring prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic.

Nineteen cases were detected at the Hóc Môn Market and more were contacts traced in other places, and as a result the district People’s Committee suspended delivery of goods to the place between June 28 and July 4.

The closure of traditional markets, transportation difficulties and lack of supply have caused prices of vegetables at the traditional markets and food stores that are still open to increase by 20-30 per cent and seafood by 10-15 per cent.

Cucumber has quadrupled to VNĐ40,000 per kilogramme and squash has increased from VNĐ30,000 a bunch to VNĐ40,000.

Other vegetables have seen prices increase by VNĐ5,000-15,000.

Shrimp prices are up from VNĐ320,000 per kilogramme to VNĐ370,000, cobia from VNĐ280,000 to VNĐ310,000 and red tilapia from VNĐ60,000 to VNĐ90,000.

Squid and octopus have increased by VNĐ20,000-VNĐ50,000 depending on the variety.

Nguyễn Thị Hoa, the owner of a vegetable stall on Phạm Văn Chiêu Street in Gò Vấp District, said: "Less vegetables than usual arrived at wholesale markets in the last few days. Meanwhile, demand is increasing, causing prices to increase in the last few days."

To prevent a disruption in the supply of goods, especially food and foodstuffs, the city Department of Industry and Trade has instructed modern retail outlets and firms participating in the city price stabilisation programme to increase supply to compensate for the temporary closure of the market.

The department and other related authorities have promised to keep a close eye on the market to ensure adequate supply and come up with measures to deliver goods to traditional markets or organise wholesale points for traders at traditional markets.

They will strengthen mobile sales to ensure adequate supply of essential food products to fully meet the city’s needs.

The department has worked with businesses and districts to ensure shops do not suddenly increase prices.

Besides, the closure of supermarkets, food stores and traditional markets has been shortened to ensure supply and stabilise prices while also ensuring safety.

In face of the situation, on July 2 around 10 supermarkets and food stores reopened.

A spokesperson for MM Mega Market An Phú said the supermarket reopened on July 2 soon after the people's committee of An Phú Ward in Thủ Đức City announced the end of the lockdown.

An AEON Vietnam spokesperson also said the supermarket had been allowed to reopen by the People's Committee of Tân Phú District, which closed it for five days after a COVID-positive person was found inside.

Of the 234 traditional markets in the city, 93 have closed for authorities to evaluate their safety status. —VNS