Shanghai banned snack vendors from operating on city streets at night and ordered breakfast stands to be moved indoors in an effort to keep sidewalks cleaner and less congested before World Expo 2010, according to the Shanghai Public Sanitation Administration.

The administration issued a series of rules last week in an attempt to manage eight types of street stands and stop people from randomly setting up stalls in downtown areas or on main roads.

The rules took effect immediately.

Operators of street vegetable stands will be asked to move to wet markets that have been converted from waste collection centers or storehouses. The government is considering decreasing rent and other fees as a preferential policy.

Newsstands will be relocated into nearby supermarkets or convenience stores, the administration said.

Meanwhile, repair stands as well as recycling stations will be included in the administration of community service. The city’s sub-districts or township governments will be in charge of finding new locations for these operators.

The administration also promises that holiday or weekend fairs will be set up at idle venues in residential areas so that stall owners have a fixed place to do business.

It is still strictly forbidden for stores to set up sidewalk stalls. Some store owners like to build stalls outside their shops in order to attract customers, but the practice can clutter sidewalks, said the administration.

(Shanghai Daily October 13, 2008)