A team from the national COVID-19 taskforce is in Labasa to carry out tests and manage quarantine procedures for more than 600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel expected to arrive this week.
Officer in-charge of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces taskforce on Vanua Levu Major Atonio Nagauna said the team arrived in Labasa over the weekend.
Mr Nagauna said yesterday, the team carried out reconnaissance on where the ADF personnel would be quarantined.
“Upon their arrival, the personnel would undergo all the proper tests before they will be deployed to priority areas, according to the Commissioner Northern’s plan for STC Yasa rehabilitation work,” he said.
Earlier, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Minister Inia Seruiratu had said initial tests would be conducted followed by a second round after 48 hours, adding if one tested positive, the whole ship would be returned.
Mr Seruiratu had said the ADF personnel would go through the 14-day quarantine process but at the same time, they were in talks on how they could be utilised while they were in quarantine.
He said in light with the detection of the new COVID-19 strain overseas, they wanted to maintain Fiji’s COVID-free status.
HMAS Adelaide was expected to arrive in the country on December 30.
