Government had 365 days to develop a holistic and coherent plan that should have outlined Fiji’s strategies and rationality in expanding containment borders but failed to do so.
This, according to the Fiji Civil Society Organisation Alliance.
The alliance stated the plan should have covered all aspects of what was needed now, such as the opening of essential businesses, keeping health and safety protocols, continuing with the COVID-19 screening and strengthening the relief operations by CSOs and the Government.
“However, this has not happened,” the alliance stated.
“The plans are coming in dribs and drabs and many are left pondering on how to cope with the newly-announced measures.”
The alliance said the opening of businesses, lifting of containment borders combined with “staggering” daily COVID-19 numbers showed Government did not have a holistic, detailed and coherent plan to combat the virus.
The alliance called on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to work with his ministers and develop and implement a plan that “keeps Fijians safe from infection, safe from unemployment, hunger and homelessness and provides its citizens clear expectations of their Government”.
The alliance stated in a time of national crisis, “leadership was again found lurking in the darkness, with the Prime Minister’s midnight announcement, when many Fijians were asleep”.
“Since the Prime Minister’s midnight announcement, we are witnessing increased movement within the now enlarged containment zones and, subsequently, more positive cases are being detected on a daily basis.”
