Salamanca Market punters queue through streets of Hobart
The summer sun and food stall aromas drew swarms to a popular Hobart market today as long, winding queues gathered at all four entry points. SEE THE PICTURES>>
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THE SUMMER sun and food stall aromas drew swarms to a popular Hobart market today as long, winding queues gathered at all four entry points.
Salamanca Market has taken many forms throughout COVID-19, gradually expanding its parameters and switching from an online marketplace to a physical setting, but today’s throng looks to be the largest since the pandemic.
Average numbers in the lead-up to Christmas tallied about 12,000 patrons a day, but yesterday saw 15,147 people enter the market between 8.30am and 3pm - roughly 7,000 more than the current Big Bash capacity at Blundstone Arena.
Of the total attendees, 410 were stallholders.
Punters at the Montpellier Retreat entry point lined up for tens of metres from the Whaler in Salamanca Place up past Legs N Breasts and Chemist Warehouse.
Those trying to enter from Castray Esplanade near the taxi rank sprawled past Morrison St onto Gladstone St near Parliament Lawns.
Two other queues at opposite ends of Salamanca Place comprised of tens of hopeful market-goers standing patiently along the iconic brick stretch.
COVID-safety stations at each entry point require visitors to either fill out a paper form or download the Check in TAS app and lodge their details for contact tracing.
Visitors are also required to sanitise their hands on entry.
Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said capacity was strictly limited to 4043 patrons at a time.
He said it was necessary for crowds to contact trace and sanitise on entry as per requirements for state government approved events.
“We have put on an extra 43 volunteers to help speed up the entrance process and to monitor the approved event guidelines,” Mr Heath said.
“We encourage patrons to be patient and understanding.”
Mr Heath asked those lining up to socially distance and use their time in the queue to complete the contact tracing app information.
Market crews have reported the outdoor event reached capacity from 10am-12pm, but numbers began to ease in the afternoon.
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