COVID-19: Refrain from sharing grog with people outside your household – Dr Fong

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A man who was terminated for drinking kava at work had the Employment Tribunal ruling overturned by the High Court in Suva. Picture: FILE

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services believes that grog drinking is becoming a significant factor in the spread of the virus.

In his COVID-19 address this evening, Permanent Secretary  for Health, Dr James Fong said they have been seeing in recent weeks that a number of infected individuals have reported drinking grog with others in their cluster.

“Grog drinking involves close contact with others and drinking out of a common cup, which create perfect conditions for the virus to spread from one person to another,” Dr Fong said.

“Grog drinking is an important part of our culture and our social life in Fiji, but we must ask that people refrain from sharing grog with people from outside their household during this pandemic period,” he said.

“Don’t invite anyone to your house, don’t go to anyone else’s house, and don’t share a bowl with colleagues after work, or during work or in any other place.”