Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has announced that the wholesale vegetable market in Koyambedu will start functioning in a phased manner from 28 September, while the wholesale fruits and flower market will open eventually.

Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, the largest in Asia, receives supplies from across Tamilnadu, neighbouring States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana and even from far-away Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The market was shut down during the month of May, after it was deducted as a major Covid-19 cluster, is set to reopen after various requests from the trade unions and political parties.

The temporary market set up in Thirumazhisai will be closed apparently. The wholesale grains market will be the first one to reopen in Koyambedu, on 18 September, followed by the wholesale vegetable shops on 28 September. The fruits and flowers market will open up during the last phase.

All the traders who are permitted to re-open business within the market will be given ID cards and will be permitted to enter the market only after proper sanitation. Further, it is mandatory for all the traders to wear facemask all through their business hours and every shop should equip itself with sanitisers, ensuring that everyone working there should wear masks and wear identity cards.

The shops will be closed for a day each week for sanitation. These measures should hopefully prevent the spread of the virus, while allowing the business to run.