Thimphu hasn’t reported any COVID-19 case for some time now, but this doesn’t mean we can return to normalcy. Of many places in the capital, where crowding is almost unavoidable, one is the Centenary Farmer’s Market. With hordes of farmers bringing their farm products, some days turn chaotic. This has challenged the efforts of the management and security there.
It is 6 in the morning and hundreds of Bolero pick-ups from different parts of the country swarm the centenary farmers market with farm products. Within no time, farmers and vendors get into business.
Vendors want to get their hands on fresh vegetables, and likewise, farmers want to sell off their loads. Some vendors even come from as far as Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang to get fresh supplies – and then come the crowding.
A farmer Tashi Om, said they reach the market early in the morning so that they can get a place for their vegetables inside the CFM’s parking lot.
“If we don’t rush, we don’t get space inside,” she said.
Likewise, another farmer from Tsirang said they have to reach Thimphu a day ahead because otherwise, they don’t get parking space inside the CFM premises.
BBS observed that everyone at the market wears a face mask. However, maintaining distance and washing hands is quite a challenge, especially amid the rush. However, the CFM management and security at the place are at high alert.
According to the CFM’s security in-charge Phuntsho Wangdi, the management and the security do their best to implement the safety protocols.
“DeSuups on duty monitor the crowd diligently. We also have hand washing stations installed in different parts of the place. We also advocate people to practice physical distancing,” he said.
Such a rush is observed every Wednesday and Thursday when the market opens for farmers across the country to bring their vegetables.
However, such crowding sets a reminder for us to be more alert as the pandemic is far from over. This also reminds us that we cannot afford to be complacent until the world is clean of the virus.
Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year, the number of stalls in the market has been reduced by more than half. In the past, about 500 vendors used to operate.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Chayku
