B.C. has redefined what is considered a farmers/community market and new restrictions issued on Wednesday by the provincial health office will prohibit vendors who do not sell food from marketing their goods or services at the city’s weekend markets.
Acting on the new order, environmental health officers from the Northern Health Authority contacted the operators of 10 Prince George area markets to explain the new rules which now limit them exclusively to sales of food meant for human consumption.
“Our public health folks reached out to all of the vendor markets that we were aware of that would be potentially impacted by this updated guidance and let them now,” said Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins.
“So, armed with that knowledge, they need to either fall in line with the order and not operate or adjust their markets accordingly so that they meet the guidance.”
Prior to the new order, the operators of episodic markets were not bound by the same rules that govern events and public gatherings and were allowed to stage markets which allow up to 50 people at a time as long as each of those markets had at least half of the vendors selling food. Now they all must sell food to receive that exempt status.
As a result of the new restriction, the Hart Winter Market at Hart Community Centre will be closed this weekend, said Sheldon White of Central Display & Tents, who provides the vendor booths at the Winter Market. White received a notice written from Northern Health announcing the closure Friday morning from Hart Winter Market operator Alice Sigurdson. White was told the entire market would be considered an event if any vendor was not selling food. The Hart Winter Market has been operating since November to replace the traditional Kelly Road Craft Fair.
The Makers Pop Up market at Hart Centre Mall announced on its Facebook site that all remaining markets at the mall will be closed due to the new restrictions.
The Prince George Farmers Market at Third Avenue and Quebec Street, which operates Saturday only, and the All Vendors Market Place at 1533 Second Ave., which open Saturdays and Sundays, will be open during their normal operating hours but will be limited to only food sales.
The new rules affecting markets apply until midnight on Monday, Dec. 7. After that date, all events and gatherings will be allowed to happen with a maximum of 50 patrons, but the provincial health office will review that policy and could possibly extend the current restrictions in an effort to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.
