GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Jacqui Kennedy from Sedgefield contacted George Herald saying she is struggling to find any information with regards to opening the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market.
She questioned the ban on markets during lockdown Level 4 - according to most people just one of many nonsensical national bans that prohibit citizens from earning an honest living.
To many traders selling their produce or art at markets is their only source of income.
"Please may the Garden Route District Municipality's disaster management centre share with me where they are with regard to the plan to open the market?
"Surely if we can shop in the corporate supermarkets, we can shop in an open air market with the same safe distancing, mask-wearing and sanitised space?"
The response from Garden Route District Municipality does not hold much promise. "We provided several comments regarding this issue in the past to the market. Our view is that nowhere in the legislation is it mentioned that a market can operate at the moment. However, the regulations permit businesses to deliver food (including hot food) to community members at their homes from 1 May going forward while on Level 4."
The spokesperson said it is not Garden Route District Municipality who must make the call to open a market in the Knysna municipal area - this remains the responsibility of the local municipality, in this case, Knysna Municipality.
Knysna municipal spokesperson, Christopher Bezuidenhout, confirmed that markets are still excluded in the current regulations.
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