Market vendors in all Suva City Council and Lami Town Council facilities will have to be vaccinated in order to sell their produce.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua said the law has been laid and the much needed hard line approach to combat

COVID-19 announced on Thursday night by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. The PM announced that vaccination was now a condition for employment in the private and public sector.

Mr Tikoduadua said the market facilities were public domain and must be safe. And for that to happen vendors are required to get vaccinated.

He said the council would allow time for vendors to get their jabs and after the cut off time, the policy would be enforced.

“We have been encouraging our staff, but now it is compulsory. We will revise our human resources policies to reflect that,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“I am glad the Prime Minister has come out with a hard line attitude because I personally see many people wasting time and stretching resources, especially not appreciating the work frontline workers have put in. The Suva and Lami councils support the vaccine drive by providing venues for vaccinations and meals for health staff.”

Council work
Mr Tikoduadua confirmed that 24 staff members of the Suva City Council were confirmed positive cases and a similar number were isolated because of being primary contacts.

“In our health department which caters for garbage collection, the numbers have dropped to 50 per cent, but this is an essential service which has to continue,” he said.

“We have no intention of stopping the essential services. Also we are making full use of the mist blowers that we have to disinfect areas around the city.

“We will help retailers make their shops COVID safe when they open.”

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