3 more containment zones in Delhi raise number to 87
The death of a 57-year-old jackfruit trader from Covid-19 in Azadpur fruit and vegetable market on Tuesday has triggered panic among sellers in Asia’s biggest wholesale market, prompting authorities to launch an exercise to trace his contacts on Wednesday.
The mandi traders urged the Government to close the Mandi and initiate containment activities to avoid spread of the infection. The death has come a day after the Delhi Government allowed the Azadpur Mandi to remain open round-the-clock.
Total number of Covid cases in Delhi reached 2,248 on Wednesday with and 48 deaths, with 75 new cases. The Delhi Government added three more containment zones taking the number of containment zones in the national Capital to 87.
Gali No. 2, 3 and 4 in Devli Extension under South District and in South-East District H.No. F-138 and F-139 in Gali No. 1 under Harsh Vihar of Hari Nagar Extension were declared as COVID-19 hotspots. The third area to be declared a containment zone was H.No 300 in Gali No. 3 to H.No 739/16 under Krishna Puri Main Road in Mandawali.
Meanewhile, the news of his death created panic among traders who demanded complete lockdown of entire market.
North Delhi District Magistrate Deepak Shinde said surveillance teams have started tracing contacts of the man from Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s largest wholesale vegetable and fruit market, and his family.
The trader was tested positive on Monday after his sample was collected on April. He died of the infection on Tuesday
The business partner of the deceased said 20 people worked with him at the mandi, which spreads around 80 acres.
Earlier this week, the Delhi Government decided to allow Azadpur Mandi to operate round-the-clock, a move aimed at providing relief to farmers and traders amid lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the Government’s decision, vegetables and fruits are being sold from 6 am to 10 pm and thereafter, trucks are allowed to enter the market between 10 pm and 6 am.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of police (northwest) Vijayanta Arya said the police have put adequate arrangements in place. “We are using drones for monitoring in the market. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has ensured a mechanism to operate while following social distancing. It will be made sure that all vendors and customers who come to the market are properly sanitized. We have deployed police to ensure that APMC’s mechanism is not violated,” she said.