Entry and exit gates are being marked at the Suva Municipal Market to ensure there is no overcrowding and social distance is being practiced at the busiest part of the city.

And according to the Government, the market will remain open.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua said since Suva had been declared a lockdown area, they were ensuring they did their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 resulted after the failure of a person to self-isolate himself.

Mr Tikoduadua said at this point in time there was no sure way to tell who had the disease or was carrying it.

He said the best thing to do now was enforce social distancing in such places because they had seen over the weeks that most people were not following this directive.

“The Suva City Council is taking all necessary measures to promote social distancing at the Central Market Site. The council shall be marking entry and exit gates to promote effective pedestrian flow inside the Market,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“Rural vendors have been planned to be accommodated at the Farmers Market Zone, Usher Street Zone and part of the Ministry of Primary Industries Old site.”

This has been further complemented by the council as decentralised sites for agriculture commodity sales.

“This week, council will be establishing sites at the UN Park for 30 vendors and My Suva Park (Car Park Zone) area 50 vendors. Raiwaqa and Bailey Bridge Mini Market shall have 10 vendors stalls extended,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

Existing vendors have been advised to contact council Administrative Secretary – Saverio Ieli on phone 9272 580 or the Market Master – Joeli Tuikoto on phone 9980 472 to discuss the issue.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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