Burkina Faso: Ouagalais stock up while markets close

Some markets in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou will close on Thursday March 26 to stem the coronavirus. ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

The major markets are preparing to close. The Burkinabe government postponed the measure to be applied this Wednesday, March 25 the next day so that households can organize themselves.

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in Ouagadougou, Yaya Boudani

Measures against the spread of the coronavirus continue. Thirty markets in the capital will close their doors tomorrow Thursday until April 20. According to a provisional list, 36 “ big markets ” out of the 85 in the capital are affected by this measure. These markets are considered to be at high risk of massive contagion to Covid-19.

It is in principle this Wednesday that the decision should come into force, but it has been postponed for 24 hours to allow people to shop. But already in the markets, it's the race against the clock. In the market in the Gounghin district, concerned by the closure decision, customers are jostling in the corridors: " I came to buy meat, rice, oil, potatoes, onions, tomatoes … Lists a client. Everything we can keep . "

The fear of confinement

Another grocer added: “ Tomorrow, there is a fear that the population may be confined. So they are stocking up for several days. I am here to shop : onions, pasta, also rice. Maybe, with that, we can still last a week or two . ”

Some Ouagalais say they are very surprised by this decision to close the main markets of the capital, as Ms. Tarnagda points out: “ What I said to myself is too early. We know today and it is tomorrow that we have to close the markets, it will be a bit difficult for all people . Esther Coulibaly continues: “ You must have a budget at least to stock up on supplies. And unfortunately, it falls on the end of the month. But we still try to do with it . ”

►Read also: Measures against the coronavirus cause debate among Burkinabè

For Aichata Ouangraoua, a trader, this large crowd is a boon to increase her turnover: “ In any case, customers come a lot. They buy the stuff we can keep "

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR

  • Burkina Faso
  • Coronavirus
  • consumption
  • Economy Africa
  • Africa
  • Health and Medicine

On the same subject

Coronavirus in Burkina: chloroquine rush, doctors warn of caution

Coronavirus measures spark debate among Burkinabè