Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says restrictions will remain in place including the curfew despite the recovery of the country’s remaining COVID-19 patients.
Bainimarama confirms all three remaining patients in isolation tested negative for the virus and will be released to their home, but says measures will remain to avoid any risk of a second wave.
“In the meantime, all of our life-saving safety measures, including our 10pm to 5am curfew, remain in place. And to avoid any risk of a second wave, the healthy habits we’ve picked up over the past months must continue. Wash your hands, wear a face mask. if you’re feeling unwell, and maintain a safe physical distance from others as much as possible. And if you do plan to celebrate, don’t share takis, bilos, or cigarettes –– it’s simply not worth risking your life or the life of those you love.”
Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
News on reopening of schools and places of worships among others will be made during the official launch of the careFIJI app – a new mobile application projected to speed up contact tracing and, eventually, allow for the secure re-opening of Fiji’s borders.
Meanwhile, Bainimarama warns on the possibility of new cases that could be brought in by Fijians returning from overseas, reiterating that it will keep in place as well screening measures for overseas returnees including mandatory quarantine in closely monitored hotels to eliminate the risk of community transmission.
“Over the next week we’re going to be reassessing some of our health protection measures. Like we’ve done from the very start, every step forward will be carefully considered, and every decision will be backed by the best available science. This measured approach is what brought us here, and it is what will bring us forward as we adjust to a new normal.”
Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
Bainimarama also paid tribute to frontline healthcare workers, contact tracing team, and disciplined forces, for their extraordinary sacrifices to keep Fiji safe.
“While their work is far from over, getting us to this milestone is a massive win in itself –– so we all owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
