Local governments limit the number of people in traditional markets based on ID numbers

Local governments limit the number of people in traditional markets based on ID numbers

To stop the coronavirus from spreading in communities, Taiwan has extended the nationwide level 3 Covid alert to June 14. Local governments across Taiwan urge the public to avoid social gatherings and shop less frequently for groceries.

Cities and Counties are limiting people in traditional markets to stop the spread of COVID-19. Image courtesy of Liberty Times Net. 

According to FOCUS TAIWAN, to keep the number of people visiting the markets down, local governments are urging residents to follow a "go less, buy more" principle.

Some cities and counties have even proposed having residents visit traditional markets on a rotating basis, based on whether the last digit of their ID numbers is an even or odd number.

FOCUS TAIWAN mentions, the following is what cities and counties around Taiwan are doing to avoid crowding in traditional markets:

Taipei

Starting June 1, every public retail market in the city will have to limit capacity and close early. Public markets include places like Nanmen Market and the city's wholesale markets.

The number of people in these markets will be limited to a maximum 66 percent of capacity. Once the ceiling has been reached, people will be stopped from entering the market until others leave.

The business hours of public retail markets selling fresh food will end at 4 p.m., three hours earlier than before.

Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has urged people to shop for groceries no more than twice a week, and follow the "go less, buy more" shopping principle. 

New Taipei

Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) said he has authorized 168 self-managed traditional market organizations to set up crowd control protocols, and demanded that they strictly carry out the protocols. Shoppers will also have to register their name and phone number when they enter a traditional market.

Yilan

Shoppers are required to wear a mask and follow the contact registration system, and are advised to visit traditional markets on a rotating basis -- those whose ID numbers end with an even number should visit the markets on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while those with an odd number for the last digit should go on Monday mornings, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The markets will close every other Monday. 

Keelung

Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) proposed that residents who shop in traditional markets do so on a rotating basis -- those whose ID numbers end with an even number should visit the markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while those with an odd number as the last digit should go on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) underlined that it is important that people wear a mask, and that dining-in and gatherings are prohibited. Image courtesy of Taoyuan City Government.  

FOCUS TAIWAN says, he said the rotation system will become mandatory if the markets continue to have crowding problems.

Taoyuan, Hsinchu City and County, Miaoli

Taoyuan and Hsinchu City started to implement the ID number-based rotation system on May 31, while Hsinchu County and Miaoli began to do so from June 1.

Under the rotation system, people whose ID numbers end with an even number are advised to visit traditional markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while those with an odd number for the last digit of their ID numbers should go on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) underlined that it is important that people wear a mask, and that dining-in and gatherings are prohibited. He urged people to shop as quickly as possible to reduce the time spent in markets.

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Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) further advised people to take advantage of online shopping services. Image courtesy of Taichung City Government. 

Taichung

The city has advised people to visit traditional markets based on the same rotation system adopted in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) further advised people to take advantage of online shopping services offered by many farmers' associations in the city to avoid having to go out and reduce their risk of exposure to the coronavirus. 

Chiayi

People are urged to shop for groceries online. Those who must visit traditional markets should do so on a rotating basis -- those whose ID numbers end with an even number should visit the markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while those with an odd number as the last digit should go on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Tainan

FOCUS TAIWAN explains, visitors to all 117 public and private markets around the city are required to have their contact information recorded. The city government will also provide mobile street venders with a QR Code to facilitate the registration.

Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) urged people to visit traditional markets some other time if they see a crowd in the market.

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Kaohsiung residents are encouraged to buy enough food once a week. Image courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government.

Kaohsiung

People are urged to buy enough food once a week. Those whose ID number ends with an odd number are advised to shop on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and those whose ID number ends with an even number should shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Starting from June 1, businesses that fail to carry out the contact registration system or crowd control measures, or fail to follow mask regulations, will be ordered to shut down temporarily.

Pingtung

Crowd control measures have been introduced to traditional markets. People are advised to visit the markets on a rotating basis -- those whose ID number ends with an odd number should go to the markets on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while those whose ID number ends with an even number should do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Vendors at public markets will be exempted from both rent and cleaning payments for three months, as the county seeks to reduce their financial burden.