Crafter ban unfair, says Vernon councillor

Scott Anderson previously proposed allowing church services during pandemic

A Vernon councillor wants the province to reconsider its ban on non-food vendors at farmers’ markets

Scott Anderson plans to bring a motion to Vernon council on Monday calling on the province to lift the ban at indoor markets.

Only food vendors are considered essential under the government’s COVID-19 health orders.

This has forced the Vernon farmers market to shut down, Anderson said in a news release.

The Kelowna market recently reopened after a lengthy closure, but organizers lamented that crafters aren’t included.

“There have been to date no known outbreaks of COVID originating at farmer's markets, because farmer's markets … have gone above and beyond in precautions,” said Anderson.

Earlier, Vernon council approved a motion by Anderson calling on church services to be permitted during the pandemic.