Vehicle owners and their staff to be allowed in APMC market only after testing negative for COVID-19

The APMC market in Navi Mumbai receives several items and essential commodities from different states, and this, in the COVID-19 times, poses a risk of spreading the infection in the market. Keeping this in mind, Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Bangar recently paid a surprise visit to the APMC vegetable market after 12 pm and reviewed the situation.

Deputy Commissioner of Circle 1 Dadasaheb Chabukaswar was present along with the him. Officials observed that the vegetables were reaching the market from 10 am as per the revised time decided by the officials and COVID testing was being done in all the five markets, in three shifts according to the working hours. 

The Commissioner also inspected the COVID-19 Testing Center near the entrance of the vegetable market and reviewed the activities.  During the unexpected visit, the commissioner noticed that most of the people unloading and unloading the goods from the trucks were not wearing masks in the right manner while walking in the market area. Officials observed that masks were either hanging under their noses or necks. 

Noticing this, officials shared strict instructions security chiefs and the commissioner directed them to check if the driver, cleaner and the workers who came with the truck were negative for COVID-19. Authorities said that the reports were to be check before allowing the truck to enter the market as it was carrying vegetables from the entrance. Furthermore, if they do not have the report, the commissioner directed the team to conduct antigen test at their entrance immediately and allow them and the truck to enter only after the report is negative.

It is reported that vehicles not only from different parts of Maharashtra, but also from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, were reaching APMC market and carrying vegetables. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, the administration was directed to make COVID testing more strict and mandatory while entering the premises as paying more serious attention would help in preventing the spread of coronavirus.