With a spice trader in the APMC market in Vashi being tested positive for Coronavirus, the market committee has decided to shut the perishable sections from April 11 till further notice, which could impact on the supply of vegetables and fruits to Mumbai and the MMR area. The Uddhav Thackeray-led government have already put in measures to ensure that there is no disruption in supplies of essential food items.

The decision on re-opening the markets will be taken after the nationwide 21-day- lockdown period is lifted on April 14. With people not practicing social distancing in the market, the Agricultural Produce Market Committee was forced to take the decision to close the vegetables, fruits, potato and onions markets. The committee was taking precautionary measures such as disinfecting the premises and keeping the market closed on Thursday and Saturdays. According to the sources, the APMC had already clamped down the supply of vegetables in order to control the crowd in the market.