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SALATIGA, Indonesia: A traditional market on the island of Java has moved outdoors and set up stalls at least 1m away, as Indonesia seeks to safely keep bazaars where most people go for affordable food and they are part of the structure of society.
The 857 vendors at the Salatiga market in Central Java province, as well as visitors, should wear masks and avoid physical contact with each other to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, the head of the vendors association said.
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A vegetable vendor said social distancing measures made him feel safe and comfortable at work. At least eight confirmed cases of the virus have been found in the city of Salatiga, local media reported.
Indonesia, which had more than 14,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday (May 10), has been reluctant to impose a complete national blockade. Instead, many cities have adopted “large-scale social restrictions” that have closed businesses and encouraged people to stay home.
READ: COVID-19 infections in Indonesia exceed 14,000 with 387 new cases
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Attempts to keep traditional market stalls operating are taking place in other parts of the country, in one form or another, with established precautions.
In Depok, a city near the capital Jakarta, for example, a vegetable vendor has set up his stall in a residential area to make sure that residents can buy what they need without having to venture too far from home.
Customers should wear masks, sit apart while waiting for their turn to shop, and wash their hands after shopping.
“This rule should be followed by everyone because it is a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Sumarna, a local resident, who uses only one name, after shopping at the stall.
Indonesian authorities expect cases of the new coronavirus to peak in late May and drop in the following month, if the country manages to avoid a second wave of infections.
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