Relief as main market in Burkina Faso capital reopens as virus lockdown lifts

It was back to the business at the sprawling central market of Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, on Monday after a closure of nearly a month in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's a joy to see the market reopen its doors," said fabric dealer Boureima Compaore. "The situation was getting difficult for us."

As of Sunday, the poor West African country had reported 36 deaths from among 576 cases of COVID-19.

Around 40 other markets were closed in the city of three million on March 25, two weeks after the first appearance of the virus in the country.

"It's been a real hardship since the closure," said Souleymane Sawadogo, a clothing vendor. "Now we're relieved. We also hope customers won't be afraid to come and buy." He vowed that merchants would adhere strictly to "the most rigorous measures to keep the market open".

The bustling market offering produces, meats and spices, as well as all manner of textiles, hardware, appliances, computer accessories, motorcycle spare parts and even artworks, operates every day from dawn to dusk.

Between 25,000 and 30,000 people staff the two-storey market's nearly 3,000 stalls, according to the city's Urban Development Agency.

The main market is the capital's economic lung," said Salifou Kabore, the president of the National Council of the Informal Sector, noting that it supplies many of the country's other markets.

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