BY KHAMA LINCOLN
Gizo Based Isles Media Freelance Reporter
A lot of Market Vendors in Gizo are now facing difficulty in earning much need income as usual as the local government and market management steps up with COVID protocols.
Recently, only people who are fully vaccinated are permitted to enter the municipal market to sell and buy. At the entrance vendors and customers must present vaccination cards showing complete immunization.
Last week, two women from Ranogga who are not fully vaccinated, struggled to sell their garden crops, standing on the market tarmac in the hot day.
One of them, who spoke in the condition of anonymity, said she’s not aware of the rule.
“I’m not allowed to go inside because I don’t get the second jab, some women gave their goods to those who have cards but that’s not really good.” She said.
She’s amongst three women who traveled by wooden motorized canoe from Kara village in Ranogga Island on Friday morning to Gizo. She said, only one of them who’s fully vaccinated has passed into the market house while two of them remain with their garden produce outside.
She said, they have to sell their produce before they can meet the transport fare. Not only that but, also meet their families’ basic needs.
Meanwhile, a fully vaccinated market Vendor Ms Selly Ina, who was selling coconut said, even vendors inside the market are experiencing less customers and cash flow drops as well.
“I sell coconuts, cassava and potatoes but now market is not good, and we are also concerned, because we’re paying people who climb the coconuts, and also the transport fare and market fees,” She pointed out.
She usually sells green coconuts for five dollars each in the past months, but now she said, as the day is closing and the market gates closes at 6pm, she would drop it for a dollar, as she needs to return home before dark.
“People stand around outside, and they want to buy” she said, we told them to come inside but they said they’re not vaccinated.
“I think it’s best to follow the rules, to prevent us from getting sick.” She said.
Featured Photo: Garden produces left out the Gizo market because the vendor is not allowed inside as she is not fully vaccinated. PHOTO: KHAMA LINCOLN.
