IF you invite even one or two people over to your home or plan to meet others for a social gathering then you are breaching the COVID-19 restrictions, Fiji’s Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho reiterates as police arrested another 113 people overnight with the West accounting for almost half.
“Keep in mind that any assembly of individuals as defined in the Public Health Act is considered a gathering,” he said. “Don’t let your guard down and continue to treat every person as a possible COVID-19 carrier.”
Restrictions, he said, will also apply for picnic areas in anticipation of people flocking to picnic spots around the country today.
“Today is a public holiday and while there will be an urge to meet up with families and friends or even go out for a picnic, be reminded that the social gathering restrictions remains and this will also apply for picnic areas.
“We also have the support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces who are assisting us with the arrests of COVID-19 restriction breaches. The roadblocks will remain throughout today and officers will strictly monitor movement throughout Fiji.”
Brig-Gen Qiliho also describes as “worrying” the upward trend of violators in the West since the lockdown in the greater Lautoka area was lifted. Fifty-six people were arrested in the West – 44 over social gathering breach, and 12 for curfew breach.
“The level of complacency is worrying and we must reiterate the importance of practising all necessary precautionary measures as advised by the Ministry of Health whether you are in a lockdown area or not,” Brig-Gen Qiliho said.
“Fijians cannot afford to be complacent as we are not out of the woods yet.”
Other arrests were made in the south and eastern divisions, 31 (of 22 social gathering and nine curfew breach) and 26 (of 22 social gathering, three curfew breach and one lockdown breach) respectively.
Since the nationwide curfew was imposed on March 30, police have made 1,121 arrests – equivalent to 80 arrests per day over the last 14 days.
Source: Fiji Police Force 
Source: Fiji Police Force 
