The Ministry of Local Government through the Municipal Councils continues to ensure that all Municipal Market Vendors around the country have been vaccinated. This is in light of the Government’s ‘No Jab No Job’ policy.

‘‘Since the experiencing of second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipal Councils have implemented a number of safety measures for all Fijians. Councils supported the Ministry of Health in the awareness programme, decontamination of sites and in the vaccination campaigns. Drive-thru sites were set up for vaccination and swabbing making it convenient and safer for the people,’’ said the Minister for Local Government Hon Premila Kumar.

Market vendors have been appropriately advised that after 1 August 2021 they cannot enter their respective markets, unless he/she has received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, by 1 November 2021, a vendor cannot enter the market unless he/she has received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is pleasing to note that around 67% of our market vendors have taken their first dose throughout the 18 Municipal Markets in Fiji as of yesterday. The Ministry would like to encourage those who have taken the first jab to also get the second jab in due course to be fully vaccinated. For those vendors who have not received any dose must remember that they need to get vaccinated to be allowed to sell from the Municipal Market premises.

All vendors from Sigatoka, Lami, Valelevu, Makoi and Korovou had taken their first jab. Whereas Rakiraki Market stands at 96%, followed by the Nadi Market at 95% and Savusavu Market at 82% vaccination rate. The Ministry appreciates the vendors from these markets for their decision to vaccinate in our effort to fight the virus.

Thirty two percent (32%) of our market vendors were still not vaccinated. In Nausori Market, 63% or 746 vendors were not vaccinated out of 1179 vendors. Similarly in Lautoka, 43% or 353 vendors were unvaccinated from a total number of 830 vendors. And around 40% of vendors had not taken their first jab in the Ba and Laqere markets.

There are still approximately 1599 vendors who have not taken the vaccination and have been disallowed entry in the relevant markets. It is imperative that these vendors get their vaccination as soon as possible for them to sell in the market.

Every market vendor is required to present their vaccination card in their respective markets.

‘‘The safety of the markets around all municipalities depends on the staff and the market vendors. They come in contact with other Fijians from all walks of life daily. Thus, they must comply with the national laws and policies to ensure they stay protected for the safety of others around them,” added Hon Kumar.

‘‘We cannot be complacent towards this virus as it is a matter of life and death. We all have a huge responsibility towards ensuring that COVID safe measures are in place for the safety of all Fijians as vaccination is the only way to protect ourselves from the deadly virus,’’ said the Hon Minister.

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