East markets resume operations
The markets will not be functioning as social events, but will only be offering essential items.
Some markets in the east of Pretoria will be back in business following the announcement of level 4 lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa relaxed the national lockdown to allow the economy to function again, making room for some businesses to resume operations.
One such business is the Hazel market who announced on their Facebook page that they would be operating from 9 May.
This was met with mixed reactions from social media users with some looking forward to the opening and others questioning whether the market had the correct permission.
Owner of the Hazel market Gerhard Scholtz said they had a trading permit from the Tshwane metro as well as an essential service permit from Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
Scholtz said the market would be selling only essential items and no hot food would be sold as outlined by the regulations.
“We will as per usual sell a wide range of food products including cheese, yoghurt, butter, milk and fresh veggies, freshly baked breads, all sorts of sauces and jams,” he said.
“Many producers will bring their products frozen as no hot cooked food is allowed.”
He said he would see the Brooklyn police station commander to ensure that police were aware that the market would be trading.
Each customer will be scanned with a laser temperature meter and everyone entering the premises will not be allowed inside without a mask.
Every person entering the premises will be sanitised.
“There will be one entrance only and a maximum of 50 customers at one given time,” said Scholtz.
“No seating allowed. It’s buy and go.”
He assured members of the public that trading would not continue if the police did not give the go-ahead.
“We are confident that with our strict safety protocols all will be safe and healthy.”
The Ouklip market resumed operations on Saturday and organiser Madeleen Snoer insisted the market was not operating as a social event.
Snoer said re-opening was a relief initiative for some of her sellers, who depended on the market for an income.
She said the market had obtain the necessary permits and have also informed police of their operations.
“The size of the open air venue is considered and planning is done as such to strictly avoid gathering and crowding,” she said.
“Only a certain amount of producers are allowed to trade following prescribed protocols and only a certain number of people may enter.”
Only essential items such as winter clothes and fresh food products were being sold.
She said each stall was equipped with hand sanitiser and everyone was expected to wear a mask.
“Temperature is taken, hands sanitised and each person’s contact details will be taken in case there is a need for us to provide it to the health department.”
Rekord could not reach the Boeremark but according to a Facebook post, the market is closed until further notice.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba not anyone would be allowed to informally sell food on the streets.
“Traders must have some sort of shelter and be within the essential categories,” he said.
“Our regulations allow for spaza shops, fruit and vegetable shops and grocery stores.”
The term for all informal traders to trade will end on 8 May and traders are urged to reapply.
“We have reopened the process from Tuesday 5 May and interested traders can come and apply.”
In applying, traders must explain what kind of informal food traders they are and what services they will be rendering.
If you do not meet the criteria as per regulations, your application will be rejected.
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