The Suva City Council has started taking a census of all vendors to see how many are vaccinated.

And a leeway until the end of the month has been given for them to get vaccinated.

This is in line with the employment requirement announced recently by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Suva and Lami special administrator Isikeli Tikoduadua said market vendors in all facilities run by Suva and Lami councils including Navua have until August 1 to get at least their first jab.

“This is about the safety of the greater population and to stop the transmission of COVID-19,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“The markets are places where people converge and we need to ensure  everyone involved in the selling of produce from our markets are vaccinated.

“After August 1, if vendors are still not vaccinated, they will not be allowed to sell in the market facilities that we operate.”

Mr Tikoduadua said people must get educated on what vaccinations meant in the war against COVID-19, how it can stop transmission and death and how it would help Fiji get back on its path to economic recovery.

Suva City Council and Lami Town Council workers have been told of the changes in the employment policy and have as much time as the civil servants to comply.

Mr Tikoduadua said the council will approach vendors and remind them that they could lose their place in the markets if they do not get vaccinated.

The Suva Municipal Market has the capacity to have 400 to 600 vendors and on average has 20,000 people going through the market.

This number increases three fold on a Saturday.

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