Violet Town Market returns this month

Under the Victorian Government’s third step to easing restrictions, regional markets have permission to reopen with the four-square-metre rule, cleaning and signage regulations in place.

Shoppers are required to keep at least 1.5 m apart, and face masks are compulsory.

Since the relaxation of regulations, markets around the Goulburn Valley slowly reopened last month, from Avenel Community Market to Nagambie Farmers’ Market at Tahbilk.

For the Violet Town Market committee, though, hard work had to go on behind the scenes to ensure one of the largest markets in the region could reopen in a COVID-safe way.

Now, a date is set, and Violet Town Market chair Kate Atkin is looking forward to holding two final markets to bring some normality to a highly disrupted year.

“We've got approval from the Shire, we've got a fairly extensive COVID plan,” Ms Atkin said.

“Now we’re working our way through that to make sure we cover off on all aspects that we have said we can do, and we will do in order to keep everybody safe.”

This month, the market will be restricted to two entrances and exits at Tulip St and Honeysuckle Creek.

There will be no stalls on Tulip St.

To cope with numbers, shoppers will be counted in and out of the market via a QR code at entrances and exits with the help of volunteers.

“You may have to wait outside for a while,” Ms Atkin said.

“And we really want people to keep their mask on at all times - while shopping and walking around.”

Foot traffic through the market will run one way, while eating and drinking will be restricted to limited seating prioritised for the elderly and disabled, and circles set up on the oval.

The November and December markets will also have less stores than usual to account for physical distancing, with the hope to slowly increase in size as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Numbers will be capped at 2500 people at any one time - including stallholders and volunteers.

“For our first one, we just want to see how the whole thing pans out,” Ms Atkin said.

“Come December, we might have a few more stalls, and if the rules change, we might be able to have a few more people inside.

“But it's all pretty much a wait and see.”

For now, the committee is trying to ensure the variety of stores usually found at the market - with the hope all stallholders will come back in time.

Ms Atkin said Violet Town, as a small community, needed to consider the health and wellbeing of its town.

“We will be working to keep everybody safe,” she said.

“We've got members of the community here quite nervous about the market reopening, but then others that just can't wait because it is such a huge fundraiser.”

The tin rattlers, community raffle and Lions Club collections all go towards local community groups and projects.

The Violet Town Community Market will be held on the second Saturday of the month at the Recreation Reserve in Tulip St, Violet Town from 8.30 am until 1 pm.