'Absolutely blindsided': Farmers' markets forced to close amid COVID-19 rule confusion

Farmers' market organisers have been blindsided by a sudden decision to remove them from the list of permitted activities in Melbourne under coronavirus stage four restrictions.

Ms Sharp said pictures circulated on social media last weekend that appeared to show large crowds at a market were not taken at an accredited event.She said the decision would force people to shop at supermarkets instead.Farmers' markets introduced new safety standards under COVID-19 restrictions, including controlling shopper numbers and asking customers not to touch produce before buying it.

Ms Archdeacon was seeking urgent clarification from the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday night.Sources said there were talks within the government on Friday night to have the DHHS decision overturned. Ms Archdeacon said that in some cases, markets had closed because schools and local councils decided they should not operate on their sites during the restrictions.She and husband Gary grow the fruit on their property in Elphinstone and they sell their produce at markets in regional Victoria and Melbourne.

A weekly Bendigo farmers' market started operating in March and has continued ever since. There were previously bimonthly and monthly accredited farmers' markets in the city, but since the first round of COVID-19 restrictions they have added the weekly Thursday market.

It’s all those COVID riddled farmers...oh wait

Anyone reading these comments needs to look at iceagefarmer now to see what is going on. Also look at small groups like TheCommGrocer who are supported as they fall under impactinvesting making money for the man.

Funny how it's small business copping the brunt of the lockdown and not big business.

You’d imagine there would be less risk with farmers markets as they’re outdoors; with a greater dilution factor of any potential viral particles circulating in open air. There’s probably a greater risk of transmission in indoor environments e.g. local shopping centre/supermarket.

phew, it was all just a misprint that the DHHS hoped no-one would notice. DECISION HAS BEEN REVERSED

Fuck knuckles in Spring st

And when people go into Woolworths, Coles, etc are they in less danger?

If this was announced on Monday,it would have been strong decisive pandemic leadership. A Friday announcement demonstrates a gov that is an out of control hot mess. Devastating last min decision 4 sml bus. 4get the tough media, DanielAndrewsMP is doing this to himself. springst

Personally I feel a lot more comfortable in an outdoors shopping environment

Remove Dicktator Dan now!!!!

There’s one person in this state that I hope catches the virus.

This sucks so much

No...

Did you consider that impact DanielAndrewsMP ?

So given we've had the lowest reported Covid-19 cases DanielAndrewsMP decides that it's time to give the multi national supermarkets a leg Up. Get real. Just think of all those small business owners who are part of market gardeners market place sitting on their stock?

I thought people were still allowed to buy food? What went wrong here?

It's being overturned. They're back on.

And bottle shops are booming.......how do you work that out? Maybe alcohol fights germs inside the body.

This is a scandalous attack on our food supply by a crazed Premier divorced from the people he is supposed to lead.

What utter BS. The market power that multi national supermarkets have over governments is an absolute disgrace. DanielAndrewsMP you have lost me as long time passionate supporter of what you have done to guide Victoria through Covid-19 & now this. Unbelievable!!

how is supermarket food safer? Because each carrot & bean is individually wrapped in plastic out the back? I’m okay with washing my hands a lot, wearing gloves, cooking food, washing & peeling fruit etc. Not ok with only supermarket fresh

Remove this Government now before the damage completely ends lives and livelihoods.

So essentially an essential service is not essential Hmmmmmmmmm

Victorian Government strikes again. Incompetence personified. Maybe just sit on your hands for 48 hours and do nothing.

If I had any remaining doubt as to whether we are being served (ruled?) by a truly awful government, it is now gone. My heart breaks for those stall holders .

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