Vendors hit hard by COVID restrictions

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Labasa market. Picture: FT FILE

Three months after recovering from the impact of two cyclones and just when businesses were picking up, Labasa market vendors were hit hard again by the COVID-19 containment restrictions and lockdowns.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa and TC Ana had an impact on vegetables and crop supply after farms were destroyed.

Vendor Shalend Prasad said the past six months had been tough.

“Just when we saw a good supply in produce and prices had normalised because of farm recovery, COVID-19 has taken us back again,” he said.

“Since restrictions were imposed, few people have come to town and we are losing out.”

Seini Sova, another vendor, said during this difficult time, stall fees should be reviewed.

“When we are hit by natural disasters and situations like COVID-19, I believe vendors should be allowed some grace period
especially when we didn’t have any crops to sell after the cyclones,” she said.

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