Vendors face income lockdown
ILENI NANDJATO
OSHAKATI
Today is the last day to do business at the Omuthiya open market as the town council will close operations for 21 days in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The market, situated along the B1 road, is often overcrowded and caters to travellers from all over the country who prefer it due to the variety of homemade goods sold.
The closure has also been extended to day-care centres and kindergartens as well as shebeens. According to the town council, about 500 vendors sell at the open market.
Vendors speak out
A vendor at the market, Petrina Shonena, blamed the town council for the situation. She said over the past year the council failed to establish a secured market for them.
“We are all aware of what is happening in the world and we come here to sell on our own risks because we have families to feed.
“It is very difficults to control people's movement in this open market. How are we going to survive during this closure period?” she said.
The Helao Nafidi town council will also close their open market, which is shared by Namibian and Angolan traders and customers.
The Ondangwa town council issued restrictions that only permanent vendors will be allowed to sell at the open market, while street vendors and those who sell on Mondays and Fridays will not be allowed to trade.
OSHAKATI
Today is the last day to do business at the Omuthiya open market as the town council will close operations for 21 days in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The market, situated along the B1 road, is often overcrowded and caters to travellers from all over the country who prefer it due to the variety of homemade goods sold.
The closure has also been extended to day-care centres and kindergartens as well as shebeens. According to the town council, about 500 vendors sell at the open market.
Vendors speak out
A vendor at the market, Petrina Shonena, blamed the town council for the situation. She said over the past year the council failed to establish a secured market for them.
“We are all aware of what is happening in the world and we come here to sell on our own risks because we have families to feed.
“It is very difficults to control people's movement in this open market. How are we going to survive during this closure period?” she said.
The Helao Nafidi town council will also close their open market, which is shared by Namibian and Angolan traders and customers.
The Ondangwa town council issued restrictions that only permanent vendors will be allowed to sell at the open market, while street vendors and those who sell on Mondays and Fridays will not be allowed to trade.
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