The immensely popular Salamanca Market reopened on Saturday, in an smaller and alternate capacity. As it stands, the market will allow no more than 500 people to enter at once, including a maximum of 80 stallholders. Volunteers, dubbed ‘safety angels’, will be monitoring market traffic and COVID-safe behaviour at the weekly market. Hand sanitiser will be available at entries as well as spread throughout the market. Patrons will be asked to keep their produce touching limited, and pay using contactless card payments where possible. City of Hobart mayor Anna Reynolds said the safety angels provided a reminder to maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing rules when market-goers are browsing goods. “It’s easy to forget about that 1.5m distance when you spot the perfect gift or personal treat while browsing the market … that’s where our Safety Angels will float in to offer a friendly reminder,” she said. “As this will be quite different to past market experiences, we do kindly ask that anyone attending the market follows the guidelines provided. “If there happens to be a queue to get into the market, that presents the ideal opportunity to go for a walk around Salamanca and support one of the many other local businesses that have also been doing it tough by, for example, grabbing a cup of coffee at a café.” Those feeling unwell with old or flu-like symptoms have been asked not to attend the market.