The Port Douglas Markets will re-open with restrictions on Sunday, June 28.
Douglas Shire Council has sent a ‘Stage A’ guide to regular stallholders to encourage appropriate social distancing and compliance with the QLD Government’s Health Directives.
Stage A will see stall numbers limited to 70 with a minimum space of 1.5 metres required between stalls.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the return of the Sunday markets was fantastic news for stallholders, regular attendees and the wider business community.
“The Port Douglas Markets is one of our strongest drawcards,” he said.
“The return of the markets is great news for local businesses who will start to see more people visiting from places such as Cairns, the Tablelands and the Cassowary Coast
“Our residents will also embrace the gradual return to normality and many stallholders will be as excited as ever to start selling their products.”
Council staff will continue to monitor the status of the markets in line with the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 Health Directives and Roadmap to Easing Restrictions.
Some services will be unable to operate, including:
- Buskers (to limit cash transactions and prevent people congregating)
- Stalls offering services that require personal contact or prolonged proximity with customers including but not limited to:
- Massage services; Hair braiding services; Fortune telling services
If you are uncertain if your stall falls into this category, please check with the Market Coordinator, who is responsible for ensuring the safety of stallholders and the public
Port Douglas Markets Co-ordinator Teri McCarthy said priority would go to permanent stallholders until the capacity limit is reached.
“We will make every effort to place stallholders near their usual positions, however we do ask for understanding in the event this is not possible due to social distancing regulations,” she said.
“We have provided each stall holder with social distancing posters and are encouraging people to stay home if they feel unwell.
“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we work to getting the markets fully operational”
Summary of guidelines below
Stall numbers and spacing
- Stall numbers will be limited to 70 and stalls will be spread throughout the park with a space of up to 1.5 metres between stalls.
- Every attempt will be made to place stallholders near their usual positions but to comply with distancing regulations this may not be possible while restrictions last.
- Stallholders who choose not to attend the market while these restrictions are in place will not be penalised.
Stall size limits
- Stall size will be limited to a maximum of one 4.5 x 4.5 metre stall. Stallholders with larger stalls will be required to downsize to 4.5 metres for the duration of Stage A.
- To accommodate as many stallholders as possible, stallholders will not be allowed to hold two stalls.
Stallholder numbers
- No more than two stallholders will be permitted at each stall, including children.
- Ideally one stallholder per stall to minimise the number of people in the space. If a stallholder needs assistance to set up and pack down, a second person is welcome to assist and then leave for the duration of the market. This number includes any children present.
Service restrictions
- A copy of the social distancing poster provided will be displayed at the front of each stall
- No customer seating or waiting areas are to be provided
- Stallholders must comply with the Queensland Government Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction.
Stallholder guidelines
PLEASE: Stay home if you are unwell.
- Practise and encourage your customers to practise 1.5m social distancing at all times
- Consider a social distancing layout when setting up your stall
- Display the social distancing poster provided, at the front of your stall
- One customer inside your stall at any one time
- Remind customers about social distancing
- Clearly label your product and price for customers to see, to minimise crowding and touching products
Reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission
- Keep hand sanitiser on your stall for frequent use by customers and yourself
- Cashless sales are encouraged
- Customers are to bring and pack their own bags
- Clean frequently touched surfaces with detergent/disinfectant at least hourly e.g. EFTPOS, tables
Food products
- Do not let customers sample food or sell unwrapped food products
- Advise customers not to handle produce
Food stalls
- Take-away only
- No self-service of condiments, cutlery, napkins
- Protect your utensils from contamination by having sufficient spares or ensure frequent washing
Covid Safe Checklist
- Available online here.
