Crowds flock back to reopened Parap Markets: Lengthy lines for long-awaited laksas

LINES were long for Mary’s famous laksas as the Parap Markets reopened again on Saturday for the first time in weeks

Frocking up for a return to the Parap Markets are Renael Carolin, Megan Horner and Holly Parker. Picture: Glenn Campbell

LINES were long for Mary’s famous laksas as the Parap Markets reopened again on Saturday for the first time in weeks.

By 8.16am Saturday, the line for Mary’s Laksa snaked from the stall to past the Chief Minister’s electorate office dozens of metres away.

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The markets and stallholders marked out spots on the ground for customers to wait at socially distanced intervals.

The line for Mary's laksa at the Parap Markets on Saturday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Public health officers walked around with clipboards chatting to patrons and stallholders.

Good morning! It’s Saturday, return of the hugely popular Parap markets in Darwin and the queue for Mary’s Laksa is at least 30 people deep. It’s expected to get busier. @TheNTNews #Darwin pic.twitter.com/atz7x3MpNZ

— Madura McCormack (@MaduraMcCormack) May 8, 2020

Although not compulsory, the markets closed weeks ago due to worries about the spread of coronavirus.

They reopened on Saturday with a smaller set-up – just 30 stalls compared to the normal 80-100 the markets normally have during the dry season.

The Parap Markets are open today! The laksa lines are still long. But different. It’s great to see Territorians do the right thing to protect our community. Welcome to our new normal. 🍜🎉

Posted by Michael Gunner on Friday, 8 May 2020

Manager Kylie McCourt said organisers were working with the Health Department to ensure strict measures for social distancing were in place.

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A Mary’s vendor serves up laksa at the Parap Markets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The famous laksas will be there but we’re asking people to refrain from bringing in reusable bowls and cups at this stage,” she said.

There were no arts and crafts stalls on Saturday, only essential food, fresh fruit and veggie stalls.