It is mandatory for all the Punanga Nui Market (PNM) vendors to wear a face mask today, and the market mamas are all set to go and will be masked and ready to welcome customers at their various stalls.

Some of the women have purchased specially made see through plastic masks to ensure their “welcoming smiles” are visible.

“We are prepared and we are ready, we have been stocking up on our products so that we have enough stock for customers,” said popular vendor Mii (Mrs Q) Upu.

The Punanga Nui Market (PNM) management team advises all vendors, customers, visitors and the general public that the market will open today Saturday, January 14, with appropriate Covid-related public health measures in place.

Vehicle access to the market for both vendors and customers will be through a single one-way only entrance located next to the Avatiu Bridge, with all vehicles required to exit via the Taua Terevete driveway at Constitution Park. Parking will be available as usual at the back of the market along the riverside and in the Taua Terevete area.

The walkthrough across the Avatiu Shortcut Bridge behind the market will be closed off, as well as the four pedestrian entrance archways on the main road across from the Ruatonga meeting house.

The Constitution Park entrance will also be closed to the general public and is for exiting traffic only.

All market users are required to comply with the following public health regulations.

Upon arrival at the market, all vendors, customers and visitors must tag-in with their CookSafe cards at one of the three PNM tag-in stations, which can be found at: the front entrance; next to the Maroro Hut by the western side entrance; and in front of the PNM office by the BSP bank ATM.

Tagging in before entering the market area is compulsory and manual tag-in forms will be provided for those who don’t have a CookSafe QR card.

Everyone within the market area should keep a distance of one metre between themselves and others whenever possible and where this is not practical it is recommended that a face mask covering the mouth and nose is worn.

All market users should practise good hand hygiene, including regularly washing hands and using hand sanitiser before and after handling food or objects.

The PNM team stress that if you are feeling unwell, please do not visit the market – “stay home and get tested”.

In addition to these public health regulations, PNM encourages all vendors to apply capacity limits and to kindly suggest to their customers that they leave the market area once they have purchased their food or items – this will help reduce congestion and make social distancing easier.

Those vendors with seated dine-in areas should also ensure that their seating is arranged so as to maintain the minimum one-metre social distancing requirements.

• Melina Etches/Chamber of Commerce