JUICE sellers in Sigatoka Town have been given until May 1 to discard the wooden tables they are using and replace them with folding tables.
Sigatoka assistant health inspector Saiyad Shah, during a meeting with the market vendors and juice sellers, said it would be made compulsory for all juice sellers to use folding tables.
However, Mr Shah did not clarify to the vendors why the decision was made.
A juice seller, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she would have to fork out extra money to purchase a folding table.
She said it would be an added cost for most families.
“By May 1 everybody should have folding tables,” Mr Shah said.
Nadi and Sigatoka special administrators chair Adish Naidu said the wooden tables attracted mildew and when in constant touch with water expedites the rotting of timber.
Mr Naidu said the administration had a duty to ensure that food of any kind was kept and sold in hygienic conditions.
“I am sure you will appreciate our actions and it only protects people and the sellers themselves as well,” he said.
“Just because Fiji doesn’t have an outbreak in the public arena yet, it does not mean that we cannot observe and become complacent.
“You only have to read about what’s happening in New Zealand and Australia as immediate neighbours and also all over the world.
“Fiji is fortunate that the health authorities have confined the COVID-19 cases to particular quarantined facilities.
“This does not mean that the spaces outside of these areas are immune to spreading.”
