Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has dismissed reports that he and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had gone into hiding in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
Responding to queries during the Bula ko Lau virtual COVID-19 discussion last Thursday, he said they were of the view that specialists like permanent secretary Dr James Fong should address the people because the pandemic was their area of specialty.
Dr Waqainabete said he and Mr Bainimarama would only address the nation when the need arose.
He said because people were more educated now, it was fitting for a specialist like Dr Fong to explain details of the COVID-19 operations and policies, including the disease itself.
Dr Waqainabete said COVID-19 was a new disease and was best explained by people who were well-versed with it.
He said they had meetings every morning with Dr Fong to hear about the latest developments and to consult on the directions Government needed to take.
