The nation wide curfew designed keep people indoors as a control to slow the COVID19 infection rate will begin at 10pm tonight.
The curfew applies to everyone everywhere although essential workers may move around provided they abide by strict conditions outlined by the government.
New penalties now apply to those who break government directives during this health crisis.
While announcing the regulations yesterday, Prime Minister Frank Bainibarama reminded said, ” Because if you break government-imposed quarantine –– or any of our other rules –– you will end up paying the price.”
“When we passed our COVID-19 Response Budget, we also gave teeth to our enforcement under the Public Health Act. It used to be a $40 fine if anyone violated our COVID-19 health protection measures; now, it’s five years in prison and up to a 10,000-dollar fine, or both.”
“Law-breakers be warned –– we will have zero tolerance for those recklessly risking the lives of themselves or others.”
Business owners and essential service providers need to ensure its employees are issued with proper identifications and letters during the nation-wide curfew.
Protocols outlined by the Fijian Government on its social media platforms outlined that those who break curfew must carry proper documentation.
Certain protocol measures are to be adhered during the curfew hours from 10pm to 5am and employees will need carry the following documents:
- Company photo ID cards. In the absence of the company ID, the staff will need to carry a valid national photo ID such as Voter ID, Joint ID or Driver’s license.
- Letter on company letter head issued to staff that they are required to work during that specific time
- National Contact Center telephone contact (where applicable) to verify claims. Where there is no contact centre, a contact officer should be identified and contact details provided.
For contracted service providers like bus or taxi operators, tug operators and line port service providers should provide the following:
- A letter from the contracting company on the company letterhead that they are service providers for the company and are required to work during the curfew hours.
- National Contact Centre telephone contact (where applicable) to verify claims. Where there is no contact centre, a contact officer should be identified and contact details provided.
The nation-wide curfew will come into effect from tonight.
