$300 COVID test fee for non-citizens and people who want to travel overseas but need to be tested as a requirement – Dr Fong

The Health Ministry says the $300 fee charged for COVID-19 tests will be applied only in certain circumstances, not across the board.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says non-citizens entering the country, along with people who want to travel overseas but need to be tested as a requirement for entry into other countries, will need to pay the test fee.

He says this is generally the practice around the world.

Doctor Fong says in fact, Fiji’s tests are actually relatively affordable. He says this gazetted schedule for COVID-19 tests from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is no different to the other tests and services offered by the Ministry under the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

He confirms that our returning citizens in quarantine are all tested for free, the close contacts of past cases were all tested for free and Fijians who meet the medical testing criteria such as those displaying COVID-like symptoms are all tested for free.

Doctor Fong says the healthcare staff are regularly tested for free as well.