Farmers cling to city lifeline as DHHS backflips on COVID-19 market ban

The sudden decision to remove farmers markets from the list of permitted activities in Melbourne under coronavirus stage four restrictions had originally blindsided organisers, who were forced to cancel markets planned for the weekend as they desperately sought clarification from the Department of Health and Human Services.The department did not reply to repeated questions fromabout the decision throughout the day. But late on Friday night, the government reversed its decision.

"I want to confirm that farmers markets can continue to operate, to ensure Victorians have access to the fantastic fresh produce our farmers work tirelessly to provide," Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes tweeted on Friday night. A flurry of phone calls after the decision came through means tomorrow's farmers market - at Coburg - will still go ahead.

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 original decision would have forced 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.

“There are so many people who want to buy food this way,” she said. “As the markets have adapted [to coronavirus restrictions] we’ve seen more people go to some of them because that’s where they feel safe.” 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.

Don’t forget the fact we are in a new situation, learning as we go, hardly a backflip, just a govt listening as it has from the start then adjusting

An alternative, 'independent' way of reporting: The Victorian government changed its position on its ban on farmers markets. These are the factors driving the decision;..... There you go. I've re-framed it for you, removing the emotive language.

So many backflips by this government they'll need to see a chiropractor!

No social distancing or even enforcer at the market forces dan to revised the restriction. They have made the better this time... store owners should seek market organizer for answers

Who is the chairman of ch9 again 🤔

Disgusting

I'm sorry but why are people defending the government's actions in this case? How on earth did they come to the assessment that an open air farmer's market is more dangerous than an indoor supermarket that thousands traverse in a day?

Just to clarify: FARMERS MARKETS TO FACE TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS FOLLOWING CONCERNS OVER CROWD DENSITY

Oh well Scott Morrison was forced into a backflip about a mandatory Coronavirus vaccine (that doesn't even exist yet) so governments have to Change their mind. It's the usual liberal shrills commenting I see.

So when is are you rolling out your rebrand to SkyLite™?

Absolute 🤡🤡🤡 running the state

Here come the dipshits...

Such a reactive government

It’s all politically n ideologically driven

It’s political has been for a while the Cho’s n dhhs have become too personally n politically involved they have gotten in too deep with the sharks it will end up backfiring on them

There’s no guidebook on how to manage this whole scenario. Glad to see they are adapting along the way.

DanLiedPeopleDied

It is not a backflip when a government that has been forced to make quick decisions, assesses feedback and makes appropriate changes. It would be much worse if the government didn’t listen to feedback and consultation

All Aussie laws and politicians are illegal! MSM is guilty of the same Under what jurisdiction? No jurisdiction = no authority = no power to do anything PeoplesTreaty Didge Productions on YT AussieDidge Dylan.Wilson.3591 on FB

The amateur hour shtick that characterises the leadership of DanielAndrewsMP is growing long in the tooth resignDanAndrews DanLiedPeopleDied

This honestly has become the Vicky Pollard government, often in the space of less than 24 hours. Yeah but no but yeah Seriously if that’s the case, AndrewsOut and PollardIn

The science changed within 3 hours?

This is not about our health and certainly not about science. Time to wake up victoria.

I should have had money on this one😂. Bad decisions + plus a gov preoccupied w public sentiment (again, bc of their ineptitude)= Victoria in shambles. springst

And there we have another government backflip to a ruling they should not have made in the first place. Perhaps they should all go and have a lie down for a week - they seem to be in some kind of delirium.

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