Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar says there are about 1599 market vendors who had not taken the COVID-19 vaccination and had been disallowed entry into the relevant markets.
She said for those vendors to sell in the market, it was imperative that they got vaccinated as soon as possible.
She made the comments as she noted that around 67 per cent of market vendors had taken their first dose of the vaccine throughout the 18 municipal markets in the country.
“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. Vendors who have not received a dose should be aware that they must get vaccinated in order to sell at the municipal market,” Ms Kumar said in a Government statement.
She said all vendors from Sigatoka, Lami, Valelevu, Makoi and Korovou had taken their first jab.
“Rakiraki Market has a vaccination rate of 96 per cent, followed by the Nadi Market at 95 per cent and Savusavu Market at 82 per cent. In support of our fight against the virus, the ministry appreciates the vendors from these markets for their decision to get vaccinated.
“32 per cent of our market vendors are still unvaccinated. In Nausori Market, 63 per cent or 746 vendors are not vaccinated out of 1179 vendors.
“Similarly in Lautoka, 43 per cent or 353 vendors are unvaccinated from a total number of 830 vendors.
“And around 40 per cent of vendors have not received their first jab in the Ba and Laqere markets.”
Ms Kumar said the safety of the markets around all municipalities depended on staff and 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.
‘‘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.”
