COVID-19 Fiji: New restrictions in Labasa as authorities probe new case origins

Revised curfew hours, brought forward to 8pm-4am, are among new restrictions that come into effect in Labasa today after new cases were detected in a settlement in Labasa in the 24-hour period ending at 8 am yesterday.

Three new cases were confirmed in Namara Tiri with the index case identified as a vehicle driver who works at the Nabouwalu wharf. He tested negative on 14 July, 3 August, as well as 12 August means, suggesting recent exposure and infection.

He went on to infect two other household members, prompting a lockdown of the area and and and restricted movement orders in place for the greater Labasa Town area.

“The objective will be to limit the risk of mass community transmission and to better screen the local population,” PS Health Dr James Fong said.

NEW RESTRICTIONS IN THE NORTH

Namara Tiri Lockdown Area:
- Checkpoints will be set up at the two road entry points into the settlement.
- Food and supplies will be supplied through the police checkpoints to families.

For the greater Labasa Town area:
- Curfew
  - Curfew hours brought forward to 8 pm-4 am.
    - Curfew hours will be reviewed if more cases are identified.
- Mask Wearing
  - Any person in a public place within the Province of Bua and Macuata, must, except with reasonable excuse, wear a face-covering in the proper manner, with effect from 27 August 2021.
    - Children under the age of 5 are exempt from this requirement
- Shops, Banks, Businesses
  - Supermarkets and shops selling food can open so that people can buy food.
    - Ensure strict COVID 19 protocols are followed.
  - Banks can open so that people can get money with strict COVID measures.
  - Pharmacies can open so that people can get medicine with strict COVID measures.
  - FNPF can open so that people can access funds with strict COVID measures.
  - Higher-risk businesses, such as gyms, movie theatres, video gaming shops, cyber cafes, taverns, bars, billiard shops and amusement arcades cannot open for at least the next 14 days.
  - Restaurants may not open for in-person dining but may offer delivery and takeaway services.
  - Other businesses, such as factories and shops, can open as well. However, it is vital that vendors and businesses ensure strict physical distancing before opening their doors.
  - Make sure customers in queues are spaced out by two metres and manage crowding.
  - Customer-facing businesses should limit customer capacity to 50%.
  - Businesses that do not manage these risks with COVID-safe plans will be shut down.
- Health-care/COVID-care measures
  - Screening clinics have been set up to keep those with COVID-like symptoms away from vulnerable people who visit Health Centres
  - and into separate, dedicated spaces specially designed to effectively identify possible COVID-19 cases.
  - Please visit one of these clinics immediately to get tested if you live in the Northern Division and have any of the following symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, body ache, headache, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing.