Chinsali Market Traders Concerned Over Rise In Street Vendors

Market traders in Chinsali have expressed their concerns over a rising number of street vendors outside the marketplace, particularly when Zambia is in the midst of an outbreak of Covid-19. 

The stall owners have called on local authorities to control the number of people selling their wares on the street, which is blocking customers from entering the market and thus damaging business.

The market traders have also expressed concerns for the safety of the street vendors, who risk being run over by vehicles when selling in the Central Business District (CBD). Last week, a few traders nearly lost their lives when a vehicle careered off the road towards them.

The problem is particularly acute as Zambia continues to battle an outbreak of Covid-19, which now has 35 confirmed cases. 

Market traders say the street vendors pose a higher risk of spreading the disease as they do not conform to the safety regulations put in place by the Ministry of Health. 

Chinsali Mayor Thomas Mutale assured the market traders that their concerns had been listened to and would be addressed. 

He emphasised that it was important to follow preventative measures during the current outbreak of Covid-19 and called on all traders to follow high standards of personal hygiene and to wash their hands regularly with soap and water.