At Phase D of Victoria's Roadmap, under the Pandemic Order Register, these are some of the relevant directions for farmers' markets:

Across Victoria

• All retail:
  • Open
  • Customer vaccination requirements apply to general retail
  • Worker vaccination requirements apply to essential and general retail
• Food courts:
  • Patrons do not need to be fully vaccinated to access food courts or takeaway services.

Record keeping, and other COVIDSafe requirements for work premises continue to apply for all venues and facilities with onsite operations as per Workplace Directions and Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions.

>See Mandatory Vaccinations for Workers (Directions)

From "Retail trade sector guidance | Coronavirus Victoria /General FAQs"

"I operate a public market. What COVIDSafe Settings apply to my market? 
Market operators do not need to check the vaccination status of patrons. 
Market operators must ensure that: 

• COVIDSafe work arrangements are in place 

• all market workers (including stallholders) operating on-site must be fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption

• other open premises at the market comply with the requirements for that premises. For example, a food and drink premises at the market must comply with the requirements for food and drink premises

• the free Victorian Government QR Code Service is used. QR code signage should be prominently displayed at each entrance and all points of sale. There is no requirement to have a COVID Check-in Marshal."

>COVIDSafe Principles for business

• ensure physical distancing (1.5 metres)
• wear a face mask
• practise good hygiene
• keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell
• avoid interactions in close spaces
• create workforce bubbles

>COVIDSafe Plans

All businesses must have a COVIDSafe plan for onsite operations.

>Confirmed case in the workplace | Coronavirus Victoria

Information and advice for businesses who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace.

>Your COVID Checklist | Coronavirus Victoria

What to do if you test positive to COVID-19 or if you've been told you are a contact - includes advice for workplaces.

>Cleaning  

A person who owns, operates or controls a market stall, market or retail shopping centre must:

• Use reasonable endeavours to implement relevant recommendations by the Victorian Government to manage public health risks arising out of the operation of the facility.

>Facemasks

Face masks | Coronavirus Victoria

>QR Code Check-In

*NB From 6pm Friday, 18 February 2022 QR code check-in requirements will no longer be in place at retail venues* How we work: Victoria | Coronavirus Victoria

Where a Work Premises is a market, the Work Premises must prominently display signage at all points of sale at the Work Premises so that members of the public can record their attendance using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service.

Where a Work Premises is a market stall, the Work Premises must prominently display signage at all points of sale at the Work Premises so that members of the public can record their attendance using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service. 

This means that both markets and market stalls must have their own QR code check-in display for their business - the market has a market QR code check-in, and the market stall has its own market stall QR code check-in.

>Seating

There is no provision for outdoor seating at markets in the current Retail directions. There are specific directions for seating provision as part of an outdoor food and drink retail facility.  Markets or stalls wishing to provide seating must read and follow the specific directions for seating provision as part of an outdoor food and drink retail facility /food court: Hospitality — food and beverage services sector guidance | Coronavirus Victoria

• An employer must not require a worker to attend work if they are unwell or displaying symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
• Anyone who has been advised by the Department of Health and Human Services to quarantine or isolate must not attend farmers' markets
• If you are unwell or experiencing symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 you must stay home and get tested. For information on where to get tested, see https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19

  Market organisers, stallholders and shoppers should familiarise themselves with the latest food safety and coronavirus management guidelines before attending markets.

• The Department of Health and Human Services latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
• The Department of Health and Human Services information on Food Safety, Food Businesses and coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Food Standards Australian New Zealand’s information on Novel Coronavirus and Food Safety

1. Market managers must provide check in points for visitors using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service. (This requirement ends at 6pm on February 18 - How we work: Victoria | Coronavirus Victoria)
2. Market operators must ensure that all market workers (including stallholders) operating on-site must be fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption 
3. Market managers should provide clear signage, ground markings and announcements to enforce physical distancing of 1.5 metres
   • Use ground or floor markings to indicate 1.5 metres of physical distancing, especially where shoppers are likely to queue at stalls.
   • Relocate busy stalls including coffee stalls to avoid overlapping queues.
   • Provide regular reminders around the market of personal responsibility to maintain physical distance of at least 1.5 metres.
4. Market managers should remind stallholders that socialising among workers has been responsible for the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as carpooling, huddling together or when smoking  
5. Market managers should ensure stallholders and shoppers are aware of face covering requirements
6. Market managers should ensure accessible hand washing and/or sanitising facilities are provided throughout the market to stallholders and shoppers
   • Shoppers should be asked sanitise their hands on arrival and exit of the market.
   • Stallholders should be reminded to wash or sanitise their hands regularly.
7. Where possible, market managers should not allow shoppers to enter the market before the opening time
   • Stallholders must be given time to set up and be ready to serve in a safe and unrushed manner.
8. Remove (or prevent access to) any self-service or communal condiment or drink stations

1. Stallholders should arrive with enough time to set up the stall with consideration for
   • physical distancing set-up,
   • reviewing new procedures with staff,
   • displaying extra signage as needed.
2. Stallholders must prominently display signage at all points of sale so that members of the public can check in using the Victorian Government QR code system (This requirement will end at 6pm on February 18, 2022).
3. Staff members who interact with a member of the public at a point of service must request that they check in using the Victorian Government QR code system (This requirement will end at 6pm on February 18, 2022).
4. Stallholders should remind their customers about physical distancing and encourage them to remain at least 1.5 metres apart when moving through the stall
5. Stalls with multiple staff members should also maintain physical distancing
6. Stallholders should clearly label produce and prices for shoppers to be able to see to minimise crowding around the stall 
7. Stallholders should have hand sanitiser or adequate hand wash facilities clearly accessible
   • Hand washing should be practised regularly.
   • Anyone handling the EFTPOS machine should only handle produce if they have washed or sanitised their hands between tasks.
8. Samples or tastings
   • A person who owns, controls or operates a market stall (whether indoor or outdoor) is permitted to serve food samples, as long as its predominant business is the provision of food and drink for consumption off the premises of the market.
   • Each market stall must comply with the relevant food safety regulations.
9. Ready-to-eat stalls should only provide take-away food
   • Stallholders should place takeaway foods on a table or counter for the customer to collect to avoid passing food hand to hand.
10. Stallholders must wear face coverings (fitted masks) where required under the facecovering guidelines.