Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has stopped retail selling in Balintawak markets to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).
She said only wholesale selling and drop-off of products are allowed in the Balintawak markets to maintain social or physical distancing.
She said city officials and the seven market owners had reached the consensus to implement such measure.
“We have agreed to stop retail operations,” she added.
The markets involved were the Cloverleaf, North Diversion, Riverview I, Riverview II, Pilson’s, MC and Edsan Bagsakan.
According to the city mayor, the markets’ wholesale operations are crucial in ensuring the supply of vegetables and other farm products in various parts of Metro Manila.
She said more than half of Balintawak market goers came from neighboring cities and provinces.
Assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo said the market owners themselves would ensure that only their wholesale operations remain.
All retail stalls were closed effective immediately until further notice, he said, adding those affected retail vendors will be accommodated by the city’s fresh market on wheels program.
“They will be picked up by jeepneys that the city will hire and will be brought to various barangays where they can sell their goods,” he said.
He warned that any violation could lead to the immediate closure of the erring market.