In light of the high prevalence of COVID-19 on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the Health Ministry will not require pre-departure testing for travellers moving between both islands, says permanent secretary Dr James Fong.
“However, strict adherence to personal COVID-safe measures during the travel such as mandatory masking, personal hand gel for hand hygiene and ships to ensure soap is available throughout the trip, careFIJI app on, and passengers are fully vaccinated with two or more doses,” he said in a virus update issued on Monday.
However, Dr Fong said the movement of people from Viti Levu to Eastern Division maritime islands that were currently experiencing disease outbreaks would be restricted to travellers for essential services only – teachers, nurses and government staff on official trips.
He also said travel would be granted to workers and their families posted or transferred to the islands, and permanent island residents who came to Viti Levu for the holidays and were returning to their homes without the need to return to Viti Levu in the immediate future.
“Travellers on boats from the Eastern Division islands to Viti Levu who have been identified as positive cases or close contacts of cases will be required to complete 10 days of isolation in their homes on the islands, be symptom-free, and with no pre-departure testing required before they are allowed to board the boat back to Viti Levu.”
