Vendors Welcome COVID-19 Policy

Lautoka market vendor Meena Devi said the ‘No Jab No Entry’ policy set in place by the Ministry of Local Government on August 1, provides maximum protection to vendors and their families.

Ms Devi said the Lautoka City Council had already begun checking vendors’ vaccination cards before entering the market.

“It’s for the sake of our safety that this is being done, so it’s good because I am selling in a closed area inside the market,” she said.

“The council and the government are just making sure we do not get the COVID-19 virus.”

She said vendors who have not had their jabs have been given time.

“We were told that if they haven’t got their second jabs by the time set by the ministry then they might lose their tables / stalls.”

Ministry of Local Government confirmed that from a total of 830 vendors at the Lautoka market, only 353 vendors were unvaccinated amounting to 43 per cent.

The Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar said vendors would not be allowed to enter their respective markets by November 1 unless they are fully vaccinated.

The Lautoka City Council chief executive officer, Mohammed Anees Khan said the policy would be implemented at the Tavakubu Satellite market as well.

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