Fiji’s Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr James Fong says even though they now know that there is not a community transmission of COVID-19 in the country, containment areas still needed to be maintained.
“The reason we need to do this is because the Makoi family had a large number of contacts and moved around extensively,” Dr Fong said last night at the daily COVID-19 press briefing in Suva .
He said the maintenance of the containment areas would help the ministry trace all the family members’ contacts more effectively and quickly.
“This is necessary to ensure that they are safe, the community is safe, and the country at large is safe.
“We will make any necessary changes to the health protocols as and when required.”
Dr Fong said in the meantime, all health protocols announced yesterday would remain.
These are those strict precautionary measures as announced:
- Beginning at 4am Monday, when the curfew period ends, and for the next 14 days, the greater public will not be allowed in or out of the following containment zones: Lami- Suva-Nausori areas;
- For a period of 14 days, we will be closing off exits at the following checkpoints, starting from 4am April 26, beginning from:
– Wainadoi to Tamavua-i- Wai
– Tamavua-i- Wai to 8 Miles bridge
– 8 Miles bridge to Logani Village on Kings Road
– Similarly, the Nadi-Lautoka will be divided into two zones—Nadi Zone will begin from Momi Junction to Lomolomo Police Post, and from Lomolomo Police Post to Nacilau. - Only persons traveling for medical purposes will be allowed through checkpoints;
- All non-essential businesses must remain closed;
- Supermarkets and shops selling food and other essential items will remain open so that people can buy these essential items within their respective containment zones;
- Similar to other essential services, markets will remain open only in and for the respective containment zones;
- Pharmacies will also remain open
- Restaurants can remain open but only for takeaway and delivery orders within and for the containment zones;
- Limited banking services will be available, as will FNPF and FRCS;
- Public transportation within the different zones will be available but limited to 50 per cent seating capacity. We have made arrangements through LTA for this to be practically implemented;
- Civil service employees will be authorised to work from home at the discretion of their respective Permanent Secretaries
- Essential businesses will remain open, as they did during our lockdown period last year. That list includes air and rescue services, air traffic control services, ports services, civil aviation, telecommunication services, food and sanitary manufacturing plants, electricity services, emergency services, fire services, health and hospital services, lighthouse services, meteorological services, mine pumping, ventilation and winding, sanitary services, supply and distribution of fuel and gas, power, telecommunications, garbage collection, transport services, water and sewage services, FNPF and FRCS, civil service, private security services and roading services. If your business is not on this list, close it down;
- The ports of Lautoka and Suva will remain open for international freight shipping and inter-island cargo shipping;
- Any inter-island passenger travel from the ports of Suva, Denarau, Vuda and Lautoka remains prohibited;
- We will implement the previous Agriculture Marketing Authority arrangements to get food and produce into the respective containment zones. At all checkpoints, suppliers can arrange with a police driver to ensure that produce still comes into the respective containment zones, and we don’t let the virus escape the containment zones;
- Employers in the listed essential businesses need to arrange a permission document for their employees in order to pass through the check points, as was the case during the previous lockdown;
- Employers should also try and make arrangements for their critical workers to move into the zones for the 14 day period. Please contact 158 to acquire the permission documents which are your passes. The Fiji Police Force will efficiently facilitate responses.
