2 new COVID-19 cases shut 300 shops in Delhi's Azadpur Mandi

Over 300 shops were closed in Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi on Friday (April 24), after two more cases of coronavirus were reported following the death of a COVID-19-infected trader.

The decision to shut a section of Asia’s biggest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, was taken after the authorities on Thursday (April 23) tested 17 high-risk contacts of a 57-year-old trader who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to an official, these contacts include 16 people who worked with the trader and his nephew, who lived with him.

North Delhi District Magistrate Deepak Shinde said surveillance teams have started tracing contacts of the trader from Azadpur Mandi.

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The trader had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday after his sample was collected on April 14. He succumbed to the disease on Tuesday.

The deceased’s business partner said 20 people worked with him at the mandi, which is spread over nearly 80 acres.

Earlier this week, the Delhi government decided to allow the Azadpur Mandi to operate round the clock, a move aimed at providing relief to farmers and traders amid the lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.

According to the government’s decision, vegetables and fruits are being sold from 6 AM to 10 pm and trucks are allowed to enter the market between 10 PM and 6 AM.

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The administration also said only 1,000 people can enter the market at a time, for the sake of social distancing.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital on Friday rose to 2,376 coronavirus cases, including 50 deaths.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 718 and the total number of confirmed cases climbed to 23,077 to date.

(With inputs from agencies)