As long as traffic is not hindered and local life not interrupted, vendors are allowed to set up roadside booths in Qingdao West Coast New Area, according to the "one-hour market" policy that was introduced in March.

Residents buy fresh vegetables from a roadside vendor in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/iqilu.com]

"People are allowed to set up roadside stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruit, seafood and other products from 16:30 to 17:30. This could make life more convenient in residential communities," said Gong Zhengang, an official from the local urban management department.

"Vendors are registered and licensed and the market location is under standardized management. We have also taken measures to guarantee transportation safety and environmental sanitation."

Yu Jingli, a professor of sociology at Qingdao University of Technology, said that the return of these previously banned vendors is expected to help increase people's incomes and revive local economies that have been hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

A vendor sells vegetable at a roadside stall in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/iqilu.com]

"I can buy cheap and fresh vegetables from the roadside vendors downstairs, which is very convenient," said a local resident, "If not for them, I would have to drive to the supermarket, which is inconvenient and many things are expensive."

A local oyster farmer surnamed Wu said that he has also benefitted from the policy.

"During the pandemic, I could not find anyone to sell my oysters and this made me very worried. But the reopening of roadside stalls has solved my problem," he said.