Fiji’s 13 municipal councils are 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.
Local Government Minister Premila Kumar said the decentralised markets would 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.
Mrs Kumar said it was vital for the consumers to observe physical distancing and avoid unnecessary human contact.
“Consumers have been recently seen to be coming out in large numbers at central markets to do their market shopping amid COVID-19,” she said.
“As such the municipal councils are taking increased precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all citizens, in addition to their spacing of vendors and increased market cleaning work.
“Safety is our priority. All vendors and consumers must understand that we can fight COVID-19 by maintaining a physical distance of 2m to avoid human contact and by maintaining hygiene.”
Consumers are encouraged to do their marketing in their neighbourhood markets or mini markets.
Below is the list of areas identified by those municipal councils who will set up new short term mini or neighborhood markets:
Suva
– Suva Main Market
– Nabua Mini Market
– Bailey Bridge Mini Market
– UN Park
– My Suva Park
– Raiwaqa Temporary Market
– Flagstaff Mini Market
– Mead Road (Informal) Market
Lautoka
– Lautoka Market
– Tavakubu Mini Market
– Nadovu Park
– Kamikamica Park
– Field-40 Ground
– Tennis Court (outside of Churchill Park
– Pygmies Court (Natokowaqa)
– Saweni roadside stalls
– Drasa Vitogo Ground (near Tilak High School)
Nausori
– Nausori Main Market
– Car Park on the Existing Market
– Korovou Market
– Nakasi Informal Market
Nadi
– Nadi Market
– Namaka Market
– Dannys Seafood Cold Storage in Korovuto
– Prince Charles Park Premises
Labasa
– Main Market
– Council Car Park beside Shop & Save
Nasinu
– Valelevu Main Market
– Ratu Dovi Rd
– Yasiyasi Rd
– Nokonoko (Bailey Bridge)
– Valelevu (Opposite Police Station)
– Narere – Omkar Rd Opposite New World Super Market
– Nadawa – Main Road
– Makoi Mini Market
– RB Patel Informal Market
Levuka
– Markets along the Fore Shore
Lami
– Lami Main Market
– Navua Market
Tavua
– Main Market
Sigatoka
– Main Market
– Cuvu Mini Market
– Market Car Park area
– R. B. Patel Arcade
– Sweet Cart Side – Main Market
– Railway open space area
Ba
– Main Market
– Nailaga Mini Market
– Central Arcade – opposite the market
Rakiraki
– Rakiraki Main Market
– Rakiraki Old Market
Savusavu
– Foreshore Temporary Market
– Council Frontage Area
– Carrier Stand
