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Mo'ed Tov and welcome to the second perek of Moed Kattan.
The second perek is short, and introduces two more Chol HaMoed guidelines:
The first is that if a person would suffer significant financial loss if she were to desist from engaging in work on Chol HaMoed - not because of the inherent nature of the work as discussed in the first perek, but because of circumstances that arose before Yom Tov that prevented her from taking care of the work before Yom Tov - then she may do the work on Chol HaMoed. This principle is in play in Mishnayot 1 - 3.
The second Chol HaMoed guideline is expressed in Mishnayot 4 and 5. This guideline is directed toward merchants and other professionals who provide wares that people need to purchase on Chol HaMoed, wares that are necessary for the celebration of the holiday. These merchants are being directed to do their work discreetly, so that they do not create the impression that Chol HaMoed days are weekdays like any others, with markets in full gear, and work being carried out as if it were the middle of Cheshvan.
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