The handicraft section at Nuku'alofa's central Talamahu Market was reopened to the public today, with handicraft sellers returning to their stalls after over three months of displacement following the closure of the market after the November 16 riots.

Motuliki Motulalo, the Manager of the Talamahu Market, said today he was informed by the Tonga Defence Services and Tonga Police that they would start opening up the central market one section at a time.

Motuliki said that the rest of the market is still closed and the other sellers including the food and vegetable section and the flea market would eventually be allowed to return but no specific time is given on when that will be.

He said that the Tonga Defence and Police were continuing their daily assessments on the safety and security issues at the market, and other sections would soon open up, said Motuliki.

Soana Lepa from Fasi, who makes Tongan baskets and fans, said today, that they are very happy to be returning to the comfort of their stalls at the market "where it is cool and cleaner than the parking lot at the fish market along Vuna Road where we have been selling our goods under tents for the past three months," she said.

Other handicraft sellers also looked vibrant and happy as they started to unpack their goods onto their stalls while others were already serving their first few customers at the market.