Decentralizing of Central Markets

As announced by the Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar, Fiji’s 13 Municipal Councils is decentralising the main central markets in their municipalities to deal with issues of overcrowding and the lack of physical distancing of buyers during this COVID-19 crisis period.

The decentralised markets will be opened in suburbs, parks and other areas to give options to consumers to do their market shopping without the need to travel far from home or to the central markets in town or city area. It is vital that the consumers observe physical distancing and avoid unnecessary human contact.

“Consumers have been recently seen to be coming out in large
numbers at central market to do their market shopping amid COVID-19. As such the
Municipal Councils are taking increased precautionary measures to ensure safety
of all citizens, in addition to their spacing of vendors and increased market
cleaning work,”said Minister Kumar.

“Safety is our priority. All vendors and consumers must
understand that we can fight COVID-19 by maintaining physical distance of 2
meters to avoid human contact and by maintaining hygiene,” she added.

“Consumers are encouraged to do their marketing in their
neighbourhood markets or mini markets. They must act responsibly and plan their
visit to avoid gathering in large numbers. This is for your safety, your
families safety and your communities safety.”

Municipal Councils around Fiji have identified areas to
spread their respective market vendors or decentralize in different locations
around their municipalities.

Below is the list of areas identified by those 
Municipal Councils who will set up new short term mini or neighborhood markets.

The
Ministry of Local Government together with the Municipal Councils will ensure
the safety of all citizens by taking necessary steps during such times.