Displaced individuals will need to organise their own travel arrangements to return home during the containment zone crossing window as no public transport will be mobilised.
The window, to travel between containment zones, opened from 4am this morning until 11pm today and it will open again at 4am Sunday and closed off at 11pm on the same day.
Responding to questions, Permanent Secretary of Health Dr James Fong said only private vehicles and taxis hired solely to travel directly from point A to B will be allowed to travel through the containment zones.
Families can also make arrangements to send a pickup to another containment zone to pick up stranded members of their family, provided that the police manning the containment zone borders are advised, COVID19 protocols observed and the careFIJI app is activated at all times.
It is understood some private vehicle companies have jumped at the chance, offering to provide their services to transport stranded individuals along the Queen’s Road from Nadi to Suva and offered the same for those in Suva wanting to travel across. Dr Fong has clarified that this is not allowed.
“From 4am tomorrow morning [today] until 11pm Sunday those on Viti Levu who are currently outside of the containment area they live in will be allowed to return to their homes. This includes those who are stuck in one containment area but who need to move to another containment area in which they reside and those in a non-containment area who need to move into a containment area. This is a window for one-way travel only. Those who enter a new containment area will not be allowed to leave until such time that the containment area borders relax. As you travel, police will be taking contact tracing information at each border point to assist should you be considered a person of interest. “
PS Health Dr James fong
The travelling window is also open for travelling between containment zones and not for people looking to travel from within a containment area to a non-containment area.
Acting Police Commissioner Rusia Tudravu released a statement this morning, echoing the same sentiments adding that they will be vigilant in their monitoring of movement between the borders to ensure only those displaced from their homes when the containment areas were set up will be allowed through.
“A lot of rumors are swirling around that anyone can cross the border however all Fijians are to be reminded that only those displaced from their homes when the containment areas were set up across the country and are intended to go back to their places will be allowed. Police will be closely monitoring all movements and your support in this regard will be highly appreciated. I am pleading members of the public to refrain from unnecessary movement and adhere to the instructions given. Remember Police will be allowing only those returning home and is a window for one-way travel only. Once again the border crossing is for those who are stuck in one containment area but need to move to another containment and those in a non-containment area who need to move into a containment area.”
Acting Police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu
There are currently six containment areas across Viti Levu: Nadi, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Nausori, Suva and Lami.
