The Port Douglas Markets have been given the go-ahead by Council to resume operating on 28 June with restrictions in place.

A maximum of 70 stalls spaced 1.5 metres apart is part of several restrictions under Council’s ‘Stage A’ guide to reopening with stallholders needing to observe appropriate social distancing and comply with Queensland Government’s Health Directives.

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.

A number of restrictions will be in place including:

• One customer inside a stall at any one time
• Customers should practice social distancing
• Stall size will be limited to a maximum of one 4.5 x 4.5-metre stall
• No more than two stallholders per stall
• No customer seating or waiting areas are to be provided
• Hand sanitiser at each stall
• Cashless sales encouraged
• Customers are to bring and pack their own bags
• Clean frequently touched surfaces with detergent/disinfectant at least hourly
• No food sampling
• Take away food only

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

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 stallholder 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.”

The Mossman Markets, which reverted to a produce only farmers market during the height of restrictions, has already begun to welcome back regular stallholders, also following the public health directives.

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