AUSMAT team including members from NZ to be deployed to Fiji for 28 days

An Australian Medical Assistance Team will be deployed to Fiji to assist with the response to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

The Australian government says this deployment responds to a request from the Fijian government.

It says the multi-disciplinary AUSMAT team will include members from Australia and New Zealand and they will be deployed for an initial period of 28 days.

The team will work with the Ministry of Health and will provide immediate support for health system management and infection prevention control, as well as assessments of Fiji’s priority health needs.

1.3 tonnes of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, including 500 thermal guns for health screening teams, testing equipment and laboratory consumables has been sent by the Australian government since the beginning of the current outbreak in April this year.

Australia has also contributed to the Fijian government's social protection measures through a COVID-19 recovery package with fiscal support of $83.5 million this year.