When Arad Niksefat moved to Tasmania in 2020, he struggled to re-launch his business in a new state and in the midst of a worsening pandemic.
Unable to pay bills and without support, he was homeless for four months.
But day-by-day he was able to rebuild his business 'Persia's Pantry' - selling Persian food at markets across southern Tasmania. Arad said he was excited to get the call confirming he could sell at the iconic Salamanca Markets in Hobart.
"Salamanca was one of my dreams, I said yes that (is what) I needed! And I am so excited to have that market."
Arad, who is in his forties, fled to Australia from Iran in 2012. He was sent to detention on Christmas Island, before finally making it to Melbourne in 2014.
As part of his visa requirements, he needed to move to a regional area of Australia, and that's how he came to Tasmania.
His business is now doing well. He lives about an hour from Hobart, travelling and selling his products at markets and online.
Arad Niksefat at his home, preparing his food to sell at market. Source: SBS News/Sarah Maunder
Although selling at Salamanca has been exciting, he's surprised by how quiet the market has been since winter.
"When I compare it with another market, it’s not busy," he said.
"We (stallholders) are crossing our fingers, living in hope that maybe when the border opens, it'll get better. We'll see how it goes."
There were emotional scenes at the Hobart airport on Wednesday mornings, with families reuinited after months apart.
Those travelling to Tasmania from high-risk areas need to have a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival.
A couple embrace after being reunited at Hobart airport on Wednesday. Source: SBS News/Sarah Maunder
There is no mask mandate, but Tasmania's Public Health Director Mark Veitch has recommended that people wear masks indoors, where social distancing is difficult.
"I'd encourage people if they're in crowded, indoor spaces to wear a mask," he said on Tuesday.
Also speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the state was in a good position to reopen, despite the threat of Omicron.
Stallholders at Hobart's Salamanca Markets are hoping the border reopening will help improve business. Source: SBS News/Sarah Maunder
"We don't have COVID running loose across our community right now," he said.
"We are one of the most vaccinated places in the world, and as we move through this our experience will be, I hope different, to what we're seeing across the rest of the world."
As of 14 December, 96 per cent of Tasmanians aged 16 and over had received their first COVID-19 vaccination and 90 per cent had received both doses.
Joana Cubillos has had a stall at Salamanca Markets for more than six years, selling Chilean-style empanadas.
But since July this year, she said business has been slow.
"(Last summer) was probably the busiest summer we’ve had, and in June with the Winter Feast, all this rush that was amazing as well, but it all came crashing down in July when the outbreak started in NSW, " she said.
"Our turnover declined by about 50 per cent, or maybe more."
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Source: SBS News/Sarah Maunder
She's hopeful that business will improve now that the borders are open, but she still has reservations about what COVID-19 cases might do to the state's health system.
"I have mixed feelings, like everyone does … no one can say it’s going to be amazing, because we will have cases. I think we have to be realistic about what’s going to happen, it might be great for certain sectors, and it might not be for others."
