Tororo and Mbale Central Markets have continued to operate normally despite the directives by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on controlling public gatherings to control the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID -19) pandemic.

The president on Monday asked market vendors dealing in food items to camp and stay in the markets for 14 days or stay home if they cannot follow his directive. He also ordered that there should be spacing of four meters on all sides for both the buyer and the seller.   

However, in Mbale and Tororo Central markets the situation is different as they have failed to adjust the spacing at markets to protect both vendors and buyers from being at risk of contracting COVID-19 as per the presidential guidelines.  

  
Traders are not sleeping in these markets and the 4-meter spacing for the social distancing is not visible where vendors have remained congested as many people can assembly in one stall while buying.     

In Tororo central market, there are washing facilities at both markets gates but no one is there to ensure that everyone who enters the market washes the hands. The vendors say they cannot sleep in the market yet they have families at home they are supposed to take care of.       

image credit: chimpreports

source: NEWS AGENCIES