The city government here is considering closing its public market anew effective Dec. 2 to further contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

After disinfecting the city market and commercial complex from Nov. 26 to 28 and hosting a mass swabbing when it resumed operation on Sunday, Mayor Michael Keon said they are compelled to close the public market following the rising number of market vendors infected with Covid-19.

To date, Laoag has a total 226 cases with 64 recoveries. Of the 162 active cases, seven of them are market vendors.

While the public market will be indefinitely closed, Keon said the 80 barangays will be setting up their own talipapa (mini market) where villagers can access their basic necessities.

Keon said displaced vendors and their helpers at the market can go to the talipapa instead for them to continue business.

Meanwhile, the city government has prepared around 16,000 packs of relief goods to be distributed to the affected residents.

“We will start the distribution of relief goods tomorrow and we will do it in clustered barangays,” Keon said.

Last Monday, over 500 residents underwent voluntary swab testing and the result is expected in the next few days. (PNA)