Roc Market Draws Crowd
Social distancing high on the agenda for organisers, vendors.
The Suva Roc Market was a hit yesterday as it returned two months since its previous event. Coordinator Alana Kalounisiga said the number of vendors were reduced by 50 per cent because of concerns over social distancing.
“We’re focusing on vendors who have been with us for a long time,” she said.
She said the market was an avenue for people - who had lost jobs, or were working on reduced pay and hours to make money.
“We’ve had to turn away vendors from out of town and focus on the Suva retailers, on this occasion.” Mrs Kalounisiga said vendors and customers alike were reminded to uphold the practise of social distancing.
“It’s a work space, and for some of our vendors, it’s their only source of income.”
The Suva Roc Market featured 52 vendors and drew as many as 500 people to the venue which was stretched along Carnavon Street and Gladstone Road. Mrs Kalounisiga said the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Roc Market was immense given the restrictions.
She said customers were expected to get what they wanted from the Roc Market and leave right after, in the interest of social distancing.
The previous practise of waiting around the market must be curtailed as a result of COVID-19 problems, Mrs Kalouniga said.