SPECIAL court sittings will take place nationwide today as Police work to contain the increasing number of people who breach the COVID19 curfew. Meanwhile many of the arrests were for people gathering at Kava parties.
To cater for the increasing number of arrests, the Police Special Response Unit’s drill shed has now been converted into a temporary holding cell.
Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said those breaking the curfew are breaking the law as well as risking the lives of others by spreading COVID19 and death.
“This is the reality of the situation that we are in as a nation, and everyone must understand that this is not an ordinary curfew like others previously enforced, as one person’s failure to respect and adhere to the nationwide curfew is now a matter of life and death.”
Arrests were from the following places:
- West – 53
- South – 30
- East – 39
- Central 10
- North 2
Last nights arrests bring to 482 the number of arrests made since the lockdown was instituted on March 31.
Fiji Police said 110 were found loitering after 8pm and 24 were arrested after they were found drinking yaqona and holding drinking parties.
The conditions of the curfew include that gatherings of 20 or less are applicable for workplaces while all social gatherings are now banned. This includes that people are not allowed to have visitors at home.
“Eight people (8) were arrested at Naivuruvuru Village after they were found drinking yaqona together. Other arrests made for breaching social gatherings include four (4) in Nadi, five (5) in Navua and seven (7) in Valelevu.”
People can call the following number if they are aware of breaches to the nationwide curfew;
- North – 9905722
- East – 9905563
- South – 9905529
- West – 9905457
- Central – 8932875
“We acknowledge the support of the Turaga ni Koro’s and members of the public who have been providing information,” Brig-Gen Qiliho said.
