Regional authorities, Town Council split on closure of Linden markets

Waneka Arrindell

The Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) of Region Ten is currently at odds with the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) over its decision to keep Linden’s markets open despite the dangers presented for the spread of novel coronavirus disease.

As a result, the RHEC has asked the national Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) to intervene in the matter.

According to a release issued by the RHEC, the issue was discussed several times and it was suggested to Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell that in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the region, social distancing practice needs to be enforced, which would include the closure of markets for three days a week to facilitate sanitising and to avoid gatherings.