Nelson Market part of growing cancellation list

Nelson’s landmark Saturday Market has been cancelled indefinitely to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Other events across the region are also off, including the Wakefield Apple Fair, Nelson’s Race Unity Day, and the Tasman District Council’s positive ageing expo, after the Government’s new guidelines that all events with 500 or more expected attendees be cancelled.

Regular Saturday Market stallholders have left comments on the social media post announcing the cancellation, letting people know where they can buy their products online. The Sunday Market is also cancelled.

But the Wednesday Nelson Farmers’ Market at Kirby Lane will go ahead, paying ‘‘careful attention to hygiene’’.

Saturday Market regular Toni Elliot of Hazelgrove Hazelnuts said suspending the market was ‘‘a sensible decision’’ but a blow for the business.

‘‘If we don’t go to the market, we don’t have customers,’’ she said.

‘‘It was completely unexpected. We’re not really prepared, because it wasn’t until yesterday (Prime Minister) Jacinda (Ardern) clamped down on events with more than 500 people.

‘‘I’m just not sure if that’s what Jacinda meant about events. The market is more like a shopping arcade or supermarket.’’

Chair of the Nelson City Council’s community services committee, Matt Lawrey, said the cancellation of events was ‘‘obviously hugely disappointing’’, but was for the best in the circumstances.

‘‘At the same time, I think it’s worth us all remembering that this isn’t going to last forever.’’