Mask up in style at Salamanca this weekend

Published on 17 September 2021

Marketgoers are encouraged to embrace the new rules and find their perfect mask at Salamanca this Saturday.

From this weekend, face masks are required to be worn at any event with greater than 1000 people – including the outdoor Salamanca Market.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said marketgoers should not be deterred by the new rules, but rather make the most of what is likely to be the “new normal”.

“It’s likely that masks will be around for a while yet, so we might as well make the most of it by finding designs that reflect our own personalities, and supporting local businesses while we’re at it,” she said. “There are stallholders at the market who sell locally made fabric masks in a range of attractive designs and colours, that help to reduce reliance on single-use disposable masks.”

Such local businesses include Benni Marine Designs, which makes and sells fabric masks with original prints created from underwater photographs; and Let’s Be Frank, which stocks masks made through a partnership with local organisation Be Her Freedom to support and empower local refugee women.

Cr Reynolds said stallholders had been doing it tough in recent months, with border closures taking a toll on the trading environment.

As part of a COVID-19 business support package developed by the City of Hobart, and in recognition of the downturn in trade and ongoing uncertainties, stallholder fees have this week been reduced, backdated to 21 August.

“This is a small way that the City of Hobart can support the traders who make the market what it is,” Cr Reynolds said.

Cr Reynolds said Tasmanians had not been subjected to the level of restrictions encountered in mainland capitals, which made it was easier for complacency to creep in.

“We’ve been fairly fortunate in that we have not experienced multiple lockdowns or strict gathering restrictions that have been commonplace in other states,” she said.

“If we this to continue, particularly once borders reopen, we’ll need to be more vigilant about protecting ourselves and our loved ones. That includes being prepared to wear masks at large events and getting vaccinated.”

Salamanca Market – currently operating at Tasmania’s Own Market – is on every Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm at Salamanca Place.

Disposable masks will be available for patrons at market entry points and should be disposed of responsibly upon departing the market. Bins will be provided for disposal at exit points.