Fiji’s nationwide curfew has been lifted, but people are still required to wear masks at certain places as well as observe capacity restrictions in some venues as the country revises its COVID-19 protocols which includes the acceptance of a negative rapid antigen test for travellers 12 years and above entering Fiji.
The lifting of the curfew comes nearly two years since it was imposed following Fiji’s first coronavirus case in March 2020.
Making the announcement in a presser today, Fiji’s acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the curfew was implemented to prevent non-essential gatherings that could spread the virus and allow for reliable contact tracing at certain hours in the evening.
“In some ways, it served as the national barometer of progress towards normalcy, as we moved the start time from 6pm, hour by hour, to midnight in recognition of reaching our vaccination targets. Now, it’s removed entirely,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
The lifting of the curfew also comes with reassurances from Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho that they will step up their presence in communities and high-traffic areas to crack down on criminal activity.
Other changes to Fiji’s COVID protocols:
- Even though the curfew is removed, nightclubs will not be allowed to operate. However, taverns, many of which used to be licensed as nightclubs, may open until 1am at 80% capacity throughout Fiji, provided that seating is properly spaced out, dancing is not allowed, and all areas are well ventilated.
- Public Service Vehicles can operate at full capacity, which include buses, mini-buses, carriers and taxis however we will continue to enforce mask-wearing onboard all vehicles.
- Indoor and outdoor sporting events, including competitive sports, may be held with spectators at 80% capacity provided those spectators wear masks.
- Businesses, venues, and houses of worship may open at full capacity
- High-risk businesses must operate at 80% capacity. High-risk businesses include cinemas, bars, taverns, gyms, hairdressing and salon services, tattoo parlours, and gaming venues.
- The careFIJI App and QR will not be required for entry into businesses and venues anymore
- The careFIJI App may be required again in the future if the epidemiological situation changes, so please keep the app on your phone so it is easily available if needed.
- The Vax Check tool is also no longer required for use by businesses given that Fiji is a highly vaccinated society.
- However, the high-risk businesses that we’ve just listed out and all Care Fiji Certified businesses will be required to check the vaccination cards of their patrons and customers. It is the responsibility of businesses to enforce COVID-safe behaviour on the premises. The fines for violations remain in effect.
- There is no more restriction on informal gatherings, including gatherings at home, effective immediately.
- Clearer guidance on where masks are required to be worn. The full guidance on mask-wearing will be published online.
- Travellers 12 years and above entering Fiji from a Travel Partner Country may produce a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure.
- In other words, the more expensive PCR tests are no longer required to board flights to Fiji. Details of acceptable test-kits are published online. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, will continue to monitor the global epidemiological situation and may re-introduce more stringent risk reduction measures if required.
- We’re also reviewing the requirement of a three-day Care Fiji Certified Accommodation requirement for arrivals into Fiji in favour of an entry system that allows passengers to submit confirmation of a booked COVID-19 test in Fiji within 48 hours of landing in Fiji.
- Before we make that change, we need more testing sites open in Fiji. We’ve put out an Expression of Interest for the private sector and we encourage more people to apply so that we can open as many testing sites as possible. We’ll have more details to announce on that policy shift soon.
- All Care Fiji Certified hotels, transport operators, and businesses must welcome this flexibility with stronger adherence to the measures that are required to maintain their certifications. If you fail to meet the high bar of COVID safety we’ve set for our visitors, our COVID safe Ambassadors and Police will shut you down.
